Zach Fitzgerald

2014 was a rough year. I dealt with a major family loss at the beginning of the year, which required me to use nearly all of the financial reserves that I had planned on using for Conference. I  even sold some of my personal belongings in an effort to replenish those reserves, but then automotive issues would take that money as well. I wanted so badly to not need the Al D.Scholarship. If I could make it on my own, then another piercer could benefit from Conference, and make the world a better place.

The actual process of applying was pretty simple, and I felt like my paper application was strong. However, I had major doubts about my phone interview performance. After the interviews, I started trying to figure out if anything else I owned was worth anything to to anyone. Thinking to myself “If I can just pay for the flight and the pass, I’ll figure out somewhere to sleep when I get there.” In my application, I mentioned that I would sleep on a Las Vegas sidewalk. It’s funny, but I wasn’t kidding. Then a miracle happened. I received a call from Tiana letting me know that I had been awarded the scholarship, and was going to Vegas. The clouds opened up and the universe smiled upon me. There aren’t many events in my life that even hold a candle to the amount of joy I felt after that phone call. That same elation continued for quite some time, but then I transitioned into mixed emotions. Sure, I was excited to be one of the chosen few and was thrilled to be going to Vegas, but what if I’m not what they thought I was? Can I handle this monumental task? Anyone that heard I had been awarded the scholarship offered up the same advice “Don’t mess this up.”  After hearing this, I started to really worry as to whether or not I deserved what had been given to me. But I was committed. I was going to Vegas.

The days leading up to Conference seemed to drag on and on, and yet when the time was upon me, it felt like I was moving in slow motion with everything around me was flying by. When I arrived, I was a stranger in a strange land. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing. Until I arrived at the hotel. Still afraid and confused, another scholar and a volunteer noticed me and introduced themselves. I was immediately taken to our Mama Duck who gave me a quick tour of the facility. Her demeanor was that of an exhausted lioness; tired from the weeks/months of intensive labor leading up to Conference, yet ready to adopt another group of newbies and whip them into shape. I immediately felt like there was no way I could let her down, not after everything she had done for us. I was going to be the scholar that I needed to be in order to play my part in making Conference the amazing experience I had always heard it was. I was going to earn my scholarship.

The next morning, I arrived at the volunteer meeting and felt like I was seeing family that I only get to see at Christmas. I tried to introduce myself to everyone right away. (How awesome is it that everybody’s name is on their badges?) Not one sour face, not one gawker, not one rude person in the crowd. We were all pumped to be together. This would be the dynamic for all of Conference. It was my first time being part of such a large group of likeminded individuals. Despite having never met most of the volunteers, I felt like had known them my entire life. Our schedules were packed, and whenever I felt overwhelmed, there was always someone within earshot reminding me to breathe. I love you guys!

If you haven’t been to Conference, I highly suggest making an effort to be  there next year. There are so many beautiful people; there is so much knowledge being shared. The classes are very informative and well thought out, and if you disagree, you’ll have your chance to express that. You may have heard a lot of people talk about it being a life changing event, and they are absolutely right. I learned so much at Conference, and I applied that new knowledge immediately. Upon my return, I was busier than I’ve ever been. The positive energy easily recharges your soul and reminds us that what we’re doing is worth it.