Sooner Discovery has been a great experience. The adjective “great” implies so much the actual experience of Sooner Discovery. Whether it might have been the late night study times, late night board games, early morning Yoga, Monday afternoon Zumba, and the many other activities, it all cannot not be really summed into one word. Thinking about the students, each one had at least one essay due in a class each week, typically reflection essays. In every one of these, you could see the students beyond the title of their name and their hometown. You could see who they really were and what they truly valued in life. For me, it made me feel more connected to the students understanding their struggles, goals, desires, trials and triumphs, which in return allowed us Discovery Guides to fulfill our roles, accordingly. All of who each student was could not be simplified into one name. Their individuality and personalities fueled our program into the success it was.
Kaden attempts to balance his way across the beam at the ropes course while other students cheer him on
There is one memory that I will probably always have from this program. It occurred on a Saturday evening, after the students arrived back from a weekend trip. After staying in Norman all day, myself and another guide went to grab a bite to eat at McDonald’s before everyone else showed back up. When we returned back to the dorms, everyone was just hanging out in the lounge. I had sat down my McChicken sandwich on the table for a brief moment when I left the room. When I came back in, one of the students sent a text message in the groupme that read, “@JD Baker Heads Up.” I thought what does that mean? Before I could lift my head, BAM! My beloved McChicken sandwich hit the ceiling as the student was trying to toss it to me, and it splattered across the room. Complete disappointed was my initial reaction, but the whole room bursted into laughter. Soon after, the groupme blew up with messages. Another guide jokingly declared, “ A 500 word essay will be required for the next McChicken launched across the room.” A student responded, “What if it’s a McDouble?” In frustration, I stated, “It’ll be McDouble the words.”
JD laughs as we do leadership group activities at the ropes course
Moral of this story, as words, even McDouble the words, could not fully describe this moment, no words can fully describe the experience the Guides and Students shared. Words cannot fully express how special every student was and how they were able to impact each other and even the guides. What we all took from Sooner Discovery will live through our actions and decisions we make in the future, and most importantly, in the relationships we continue well after the end of this program.
JD B
Public Affairs & Administration
And Public Relations, 2018
Edmond, Oklahoma
Parker, Kaden, Rhett, and JD enjoying the end of program banquet