What drew you to Concordia?
I wanted to find a place where I could specialize in parish teaching and planning events around the church for family and youth ministry. Ultimately, the music program, along with being amongst those of my faith, drew me in. I wanted to be a part of a good, touring choir. And I am! Plus the family feeling, everybody was so close and it was the little things like that that really helped make the decision.

What was your first day like?
Well, I was happy because the second day of school was my birthday. And I wasn’t too scared because I tend to be outgoing. I just needed one person. My roommate helped me branch out. On my way in to everything, getting past the cafeteria, just a whole bunch of people you don’t know and then all of a sudden it was a bunch of people in the same boat. I got a great impression of everything right off the bat.

I got comfortable right away, I was so excited. It’s really cool to be a part of a school, a community for four years. It’s amazing to see everyone come back for a new year, everyone’s so happy because we all know each other, we’re acquainted already. It’s just such an amazing feeling! It’s like camp. Long-term camp.

Silvia’s Do’s and Don’ts
Your relationship with your roommate is like a family member or a significant other. Keep an open mind and work at it, it’s important and you should be aware that you need to work at it.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors. They care. They all have an open door, they know you and they appreciate when you come to them. There’s a real effort on their part to make it personal.

Favorite spot to study on campus?
Anywhere with friends to study with. Yep, basically study groups. The library is convenient for quite studying too.

On extra-curriculars
I’m in our choir called Kammerchor. Getting here as a freshman, I had interest in theater and music but I didn’t think I’d be good enough. I ended up getting the second lead in our musical, Opal. I’m in ACT, Association of Concordia’s Theater. I love it. I act a lot, take the classes, advanced acting, anything with the theater, I’m there. It’s a time commitment but it’s worth it, we put on scenes, songs, anything.

This will be my second year in music and we’re going to Slovakia in May. I’ve made so many friends through those programs, it’s a neat group of about 50 members and we sing for everything - all the services, ceremonies and chapel services. We hold concerts throughout the year and perform at opening services at the start of school and at graduation, it’s great.

I co-lead a ministry with a friend called The Cross. It involves music and ministry. It’s a great chance to be close to God through music and by doing ministry for others. We want to try to do stuff with youth, nursing homes and chapel services here at Concordia. It’s a small group of 25, we get together once a week and plan events twice a month. I’m also in CMLT, Campus Ministry Leadership Team and . . . I work. If I have time!

On her Admission Counselor
Oh, I killed him with questions! I kept e-mailing him, I didn’t know what was going on! But, he kept me at peace with everything. He was the first person that helped me make a smooth transition. He encouraged me to keep asking questions. It was very comfortable and he’d get back to me very quickly. I’d ask him a question, sometimes five in a day, and he’d still get back to me quickly!

What’s the latest Silvia has ever been up studying?
About four all-nighters in two weeks! I was up writing papers. Yeah, I take a lot of time to do papers.

On the lake view
It’s overwhelming. I’m a big nature girl, I love being outside. It has these trails and bluffs. It’s this great place to come and chill. I like to spend a lot of time down there, because it’s just so beautiful.