Day of Launch Party: also known as the day I was saying good-bye to my family; meeting the people I would soon call my family, and meeting Rory McIlroy. Excited and nervous would be and understatement of how I was feeling. I got to spend the day with 23 amazing people, who were all feeling the same excitement and nervousness. However, it wasn’t until all 23 of us scholars were strutting down the streets of NYC looking like a group of skittles that it hit me; I was apart of a group that was so much bigger than myself. I did not know what to expect for the launch party, but I can honestly say that it was better than I could ever expected. I will never forget whispering into one of the other scholars ears saying “Oh my gosh, don’t you feel famous.” Then right after saying that I actually got to meet someone famous: Rory McIlroy. The way he talks about his sport, the pride he has in his country, and how excited about this program he is just made me want to leave for Ireland right then in there. Getting to actually ask him questions and find out more about the “face of Ireland’, was a truly special experience. The next minute my name was being called across the stage in front of his foundation, the Sport Changes Life Committee, and most importantly my parents. To top the night off, we were all given amazing swag bags, filled with Nike gear to rep when we are in Ireland. After the event I got to ease my way into the Irish culture with my parents and the rest of the program in an Irish pub for the after party. Saying good-bye was a hard moment, but knowing that I was about to embark on an amazing journey eased the tears. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my experience as a Victory Scholar.
