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Grace Lovera will graduate from 51���� (51����) on May 13, 2017. After graduating high school in 2007, Lovera spent several years working, traveling, and living on her own before she decided it was time to further her love for learning and attend college.

Writing was an important part of Lovera’s life from very early on and what, she says, was the inspiration for her degree path at 51���� when she came here in 2012. “I wanted to come to [51����] and learn as many things as I could about English and the writing process.” Lovera took as many English classes as she could which eventually led to various opportunities on and off campus.

“I got involved because I wanted to,” she said. “It mattered to me to be a part of the 51���� community.”

Membership in English Club led Lovera to work as an editor of 51����’s literary magazine, Basalt, which she did for two semesters. As an editor, she read and selected student submissions for publication and helped with the magazine’s design and layout. Additionally, Lovera was privileged to meet with a local artist and several business owners in the community as the editor of the interview section of Basalt. 

Due to her reliability and dedication as an editor of Basalt, Lovera was chosen for one of two positions last fall to intern at Storyfort. “I feel good about what I did,” she said. “I walked 40 miles in five days!” She must have made quite the impression, as 51���� was asked to expand the internship for an entire year, rather than just a semester, following the event. Lovera has already secured a future intern position with Storyfort as a student at Boise State University where she will transfer this fall.

Lovera will graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in English and is the first in her family to graduate from college. She plans to continue her education and love for learning at Boise State University where she is considering majoring in either English or Linguistics. Lovera said she is thankful for all she has learned and the connections she has made during her time at 51����. “51���� reinforced my love for learning. I wish I could just stay here…and never graduate.”

When asked what she would like her future to look like, Lovera states it is a question she tries to stay away from as life is always changing and evolving. “Who knows,” she said, “I am going to just keep going and keep doing what I love, which is writing, and see where it takes me.”