Allegra

I became interested in Western University because they had a great ballet program and I could receive a BFA in ballet specifically.

That was really attractive.

Western University was far enough away that I could get some independence.

It was not in the same state, but it was close enough that if I needed something or if an emergency happened, I could get home quickly or my family could get to me.

How were you feeling about living away from home?

four weeks, five weeks, six weeks.

I had been away from home before.

And as an only child with older parents, I just felt a lot of pressure and scrutiny and focus on me all the time, which I do appreciate all the resources that went to me and all the activities that I was able to do as a result of being an only child.

But I needed the space to develop my own sense of self a little bit more.

And

not be so defined by what they wanted me to do, what they wanted me to be.

I was definitely eager to forge my own path and not be so supervised all the time.

The girl that I roomed with was from the island of Tonga, the area of the United States that Western University is located in, is very connected to the church of Tonga.

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS.

A lot of missionary work is done in Tonga and in that geographical region.

Tonga is just something I had no concept for.

Like we didn't really even do beach vacations when I was growing up.

So I was like, wow, that's really cool.

Well, I went through recruitment in the fall of 2015.

So my freshman semester, right when I came onto campus, my mom and my cousin were involved in Greek life.