Who I am, and Why

Kiandra Nash These photos whether good or bad, has helped

me to be the woman I am today.

From day one, my family has always been there for me. Both of my parents have instilled in me the

importance of working hard for the things that I want.

They have strived for me to be as independent as I can,

and also demonstrated good morals for me to follow and live by. My

younger sister is also in this photograph and

although she is younger, I have always been able to go to her and talk to her

about the things that were going on in my life. Without the three people pictured here I don’t know exactly

where I would be.

This is a picture of my and the four young ladies that

have always been there for me as true friends. (from

left to right) Dallas, Myself, Paris, Iesha, and

Shawntrice. Each one of these ladies has stepped

up to the plate and has told me the truth even when I didn’t want to hear it and I appreciate them for doing so. I am so grateful to call

each of them my friend. We even picked up the little

name “Fab 5” during high school. We were always together and no one ‘til this day can break the bond that we share.

During high school I was privileged enough to be

chosen along with 39 other girls, to attend JMU’s

Female Institute, this is a program that focuses on

leadership and development in

multicultural ethnicities. This program opened my eyes to new beginnings and helped me to see

things in a different light. I was so honored to

experience something so motivational and inspiring. It is actually the reason I

chose JMU as the institution to further my education.

This photo is of what I would call one of the bad choices in my life. It shows me alongside

my ex-boyfriend and high sweetheart, Cedric. I made

many bad choices pertaining to family and friends when he was a part of life. It seemed that I would choose him over many of the people that were most important to me. Long

story short—he cheated, lied, had a way of making me feel shameful of the person I was

trying to become and even had a baby by another girl when we were together. On a good note: he no longer is a part of my life, and I am 100% just

fine with that.

This photo is from a night that changed my life. It was the night before prom, and instead of being home like my parents expected and wanted, I was too busy at Cedric’s house. Rushing home, I managed to flip my vehicle twice. God was truly with me and was able to make it out just fine, with no injuries. I should have known then that he was no good for me. However, even after my accident I went to prom the next day with him and on later dates received a speeding ticket when going to visit him and on another occasion received a reckless driving ticket when visiting him. .

These are photos from my high school graduation. As class

president I was able to deliver the speech to my graduating

class, and it was truly a moment that continues to

touch me, even today. I was so happy to stand before the

people that have watched me grow, while growing with me and tell to them how much

each of them have touched me such a special way. The photo to the right is of me and the

other members of the “Fab 5”, the young ladies that stood

shoulder to shoulder with me to tackle grade school and all of the drama year after year.

At the bottom is a photograph of me and my family on my

special day. It shows my parents, grandparents, aunts

and uncles as well as cousins.

This is my high school basketball team, this group of girls were inspirational, hard-working, and truly a team with heart. With this group of girls I learned the importance of team work, trust, and dependence. I understood while working with these girls that you

can’t do everything alone. I am honored and truly grateful to have called

these girls, my teammates and friends. I was able to meet great people while

with them and experience some of my most

unforgettable memories with them.

This is Jill Wasson, my freshman year roommate, here at JMU and,my little savior. Jill seemed to fit me to a tee. We hit off from the very beginning

and I so happy that she was paired with me in roommate

match ups. Although we have had our share of feuds she has

been there no matter what. Late night phone calls, sleep overs, and even my shoulder

to cry on, she has always been so kind and helpful in every situation and even today we still share a bond. No matter

the length of time we don’t see each other or talk we always

pick up like we never missed a beat.

This photo is of me and Morgan, my current roommate, and best friend here at school. She helps keep me sane, and has so much in common with me. We connected really well

freshman year, and she brought so much joy when I needed it most, reminding of my girls back home. We are pretty much like sisters and

share everything, from clothes, to family secrets. We spend the majority of time together when at school and help one another whenever we can. Seems like

we never get tired of having on another around, and I wouldn’t

trade that for the world.

This is my scapegoat—the ocean. I have always loved the ocean and everything it offers to me it symbolizes

new beginnings. When feeling down or simply

needing time away I run to the place that can’t talk back but listens to every word I say and doesn’t

judge. The ocean is the key to my heart and I can’t

even place into words the beauty it conveys. It holds

so my secrets and expectations and I could

never get enough.

This picture is of my and the young man that captured my heart, here at JMU, Mike. I met Mike Feb. of my freshman and we have been together ever since. He is the one person

who listens to me every time I need him, cares for me like no other, and is my friend before

anything. He respects me, tolerates me and loves me

unconditionally. He has been a big part of my life and the

decisions have made recently to better myself. He is truly the

only person other than my family that has gotten this

close to me. Always telling me the truth and putting my first, Mike brings the sunshine when

it rains.