Who is Lexxa Olivia Kight?
When people ask me who I am, I always start by telling them I am the youngest of three girls. My sisters have shaped me into who I am and I believe that my characteristics are a mix of theirs. I am caring and outgoing like my oldest sister Tessa and sarcastic and laid back like my other sister Emma. Meeting new people and creating new relationships is very fascinating to me and allows me to learn from others. While I have a good gauge of who I am now, I can’t wait to see how much I grow in the future.
Cultural Routes:
Now it’s time to talk about Cultural Routes. To me, Cultural Routes is a once in a lifetime experience that has the opportunity to be life changing. After hearing Dr.P and past members of CR talk about how impactful and special this experience was, I knew it was something I wanted to apply for.
When the application first came out, I had this grand plan of having my application submitted a few days early. However, that was not the case. At about 11pm the night before the application was due, I was sitting in the purple chair at the end of the second floor hallway in Milton Daniel. While sitting in this chair, I was reflecting on why I was applying to go on Cultural Routes and how I would be able to grow from this opportunity. This question made me think. Being able to explore Europe while getting to know other specially selected individuals sounded very appealing. I mean who wouldn’t want to go over seas with 17 other people and dive deep into new cultures. I have gone on vacations before, but I was ready to step out of my comfort zone and go on an experience rather than a trip. As I submitted my application, the anticipation began.
January 8th:
January 8th was the day I was going to the taping of The Price is Right and getting notified if I would be a member of CR12. At about 9am, I arrived at the CBS studios in LA with hopes of being a contestant on The Price is Right. At the same time, I was praying that I was one of the lucky 16 students who would be selected for Cultural Routes. About an hour after checking into the show, our phones were collected and I would have to wait 8 hours to have my phone again. Once the taping started, all I could think about was the notification that would hopefully be on my phone. Contestant after contestant, I was getting closer to an email that could change my life.
Finally, the taping was done and I went to collect my phone. Frantically looking for a notification, I received an email titled “JVR HONORS EXPLORATION”. When I saw the email, I thought it was going to inform me that I was not chosen because the email was “automated”, or so we thought. I proceeded to click the link at the bottom of the email and I automatically started crying when I saw the news. This was much better than being a contestant on The Price Is Right. Fireworks filled the page and I could not believe what I was seeing. Then the tears started. Immediately I called my sister Emma who was a member of CR11, and I could barely talk to her because I was so overwhelmed with emotions. After trying to calm myself down, I started my three hour drive home from LA trying to comprehend that I was a member of CR12.
82 days and Counting:
Being a member of CR12 still feels surreal, I cannot wait for the memories I am going to make on this experience. While I love capturing moments with pictures, having blogs to reflect on when I return from Europe will allow me to relive some of the most memorable moments. Once this experience concludes, I hope to know more about the European culture and have 17 new life long friends (shoutout to Dr.P and Ms.Grace too!).
It’s crazy to think that in 82 days I will be in Berlin starting a journey that will compare to no other.
Talk to you soon!!
LK
