Lilly - Strength and Encouragement

Lilly is one of those rare poeple you might have the opportunity of meeting once in your lifetime. She is brilliant in everything she does and has more energy, charm, and personality than imagineable. She is one of the most giving people I know, and if you get a chance to meet her, your life will have truly been touched.

Lilly has been a great friend for over a decade now. We met at Riverside Community College while taking core music classes together...she is a singer and I am an instrumentalist, so thank goodness we had the opportunity to meet at the very beginning of our careers. I was barely 17 when I started taking classes and Lilly was going back to college for a second degree. We studied together many times and always made sure we had our vitamins - m&m's of course:) We went to Hawaii together with the wind ensmeble and chorus. Lilly knew that I was paying my way through college and was fund raising for the trip; I later found out she anonymously donated part of my way.

When I came back from the Fulbright in Romania, Lilly let me stay with her while I finished my thesis for my master's. She helped me study for my comprehensive exams and edit my thesis. She was there telling me not to give up or give in.

Whilst making the video, who do I turn to, but Lilly of course. Through my journey Lilly has been a huge encouragement and source of strength. She always reminds me of my beginnings and how God has helped me through everything, and that is exactly what she did for me during this contest. She reminded me to be honest and be myself, and whether it was God's plan for me to win or not, I was responsible for just doing my best. Of course these are things that I should know, but it is during these life changing moments that we all need someone to encourage us and put things into perspective.

Lilly, there are really no words to describe the influence you have had in my life. If it were not for your encouragement along the way, I would not have had the strength to believe in myself and actually follow through with many of my dreams, including building a music studio. Your friendship is priceless and I am sooo thankful for it. My only regret is that we are on opposite sides of the country!