Jonathan Meyer.

Life has a funny way of reminding you of where you come from. This week’s adventure in the world of Just Jonathan included a beautiful coming of age story wrapped in nostalgia from my freshman year of high school.

In 2018, a young and less hairy version of myself stepped onto a bus in front of the high school, setting off for Des Moines. The state student council conference was an adventure that fourteen year old me remembers fondly. Everything from the idea of a field trip, to a keynote address from a sub four minute miler, it was an event that stayed with me and added value to my high school education.

As a senior in high school, the same conference turned into the same highlight. Getting to travel with my sister and other friends and network with passionate and enthusiastic students filled my bucket.

A few weeks ago, I asked a member of our Senate Executive Team here at Wartburg about her experience as one of the students who organized that very event. We talked about how the conference invited guests to deliver “breakout sessions” on topics that would add value to the crop of high school leaders in attendance. On a whim we applied to present at the very conference that both had given us opportunities in our teenage years. A few weeks later we got the magical acceptance email!

Fast forward to this past Monday, I traded the school bus for my friend Zack’s truck, loaded with the Wartburg Senate team, and heading off to present a session.

Our twenty-five minute session was titled “Student Council…What’s Next?” We shared about how you can stay involved in leadership at the collegiate level, something that really struck home with me.

The best moment of my day was seeing Mrs. Chyma and members of the STC Student Council. Not sure what I did to deserve the generous way Mrs. Chyma introduced me to her group, but I can’t express enough gratitude for her kindness and support. You’ve heard it from me many times in this column, I am so grateful for Tama-Toledo shaping me into the young man I am today. I see that same potential in all of the students I got to meet that morning.

Though the years may change, the places you go might just remind you of where you come from.

No matter if it’s 2018 or 2026…I’m Just Jonathan.