Iyrt exec class of 2025
Photography by Dani Espinoza
As the Class of 2025 approaches graduation, we wanted to give our graduating members the opportunity to share one last time.
As we sit on the edge of graduation, reflecting on the whirlwind of the past four years, one thing is clear: this journey has been anything but linear. We came to Virginia Tech as strangers to this place, and maybe even to ourselves,but somewhere between the late-night walks across the Drillfield, the unexpected friendships, the majors we switched, and the risks we took, we grew into people we’re proud of. Through fear, joy, heartbreak, and discovery, we learned that growth rarely feels comfortable, but it’s always worth it. This letter is a love note to those moments—the big, the small, the quiet, and the chaotic—that shaped us. From our hearts to yours, thank you for being part of the ride.
Dani Espinoza- Editor
If you're reading this, believe in the butterflies.
Looking back at my time at Virginia Tech, one feeling that stands out before every life-changing, or memorable experience: butterflies. From choosing to come here without ever touring campus, to switching my major, to joining an organization I knew little about, every-single time, I had the biggest case of the butterflies.
It took me until my junior year to recognize the pattern: every time I felt those nerves, stepped slightly out of my comfort zone, and took a leap, something amazing happened. Even publishing my letter to the If You’re Reading This community was one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever done, I was terrified. But then, I received an Instagram DM from a fellow Hokie, who told me how much they resonated with my words, and how my letter made this campus of 30,000+ students feel a little smaller. In that moment, I realized that fear and excitement often go hand in hand, and that embracing the butterflies can lead to something truly special.
The biggest reward I found from believing the butterflies was when I decided to join the Class of 2025 Leadership Team. I applied on a whim because my friend told me I’d be a good fit (shoutout Keaton, our IYRT VT chapter founder). After multiple interviews, I was offered a position I didn’t even apply for and knew nothing about. I wanted to be involved but wasn’t sure if this was the right fit. Little did I know that role would introduce me to lifelong friends and push me to become the best version of myself.
SO, whether you’re nervous to talk to your crush, join a new club, write a letter for If You’re Reading This, believe in the butterflies!!! They’re not always a bad thing. And trust me, four years will fly by faster than you think.
Katie Hearns- VP + Treasurer
If you’re reading this, it’s okay to change.
Looking back at my four years of college almost always leaves me perplexed. I can’t quite understand how I got from where I was, walking into Cochrane Hall as a freshman—to where I am now, just two weeks away from graduation. I’ve made lifelong friends and lost some along the way. I’ve had crushes, heartbreaks, and everything in between.
I discovered a love for Hospitality that took me further than I ever could have imagined, especially since I originally came to school for Marketing. I’ve read new books, changed my music taste, and grown in countless ways.
You are allowed, as a HUMAN, to change and grow. You can change your mind, your behavior, your lifestyle—whatever feels right for you. Surround yourself with people who allow you the space to evolve.
Enjoy where you are now, and look forward to meeting the person you’ll become in four years. Say yes to new experiences and challenge yourself.
Love you forever!
Sarah Ogden- Social Media
If you’re reading this, don’t forget to waste a little time.
This might seem like the opposite of what a graduating senior should tell you, but it’s the best advice I have. Yes, four years will fly by, and yes, you should try to make the most of every moment. But the experiences that truly stuck with me were the ones where I remembered to slow down and be present in my own life. Whether it was lingering after a club meeting to catch up with friends, putting off an assignment to have a movie marathon with my roommates, or spending a Friday afternoon alone to reconnect with myself— those moments matter just as much as all the work.
What you don’t have time to waste on is anything that drains you or makes you dread getting out of bed in the morning. These years are meant for you to let go of what no longer serves you and walk through as many wrong doors as it takes to find the right one. This is your time to screw up, look dumb, and figure it all out—we can’t do that if we waste time worrying about what other people will think of us.
You also can’t waste your time ruminating on the things that you haven't made peace with. Maybe you’re still holding onto resentment toward your past self, childhood bullies, or mistakes you made when you were younger and didn’t know better. The good news is that you can forgive yourself and others. You can choose which parts of your past to carry with you and which parts to finally set down.
Learn how to waste your time wisely. Try a new hobby, and be bad at it. Join a club that has nothing to do with your major or future career. Go to basketball games. Sit in the car with your friend for an extra hour because the conversation is just that good. Accept that late assignment or use a drop grade because it’s your friend’s birthday and you want to celebrate with them. Take a few minutes to call or text someone you miss. TAKE A NAP! We have to remember about joy and play and fun, or we lose what makes us human. You aren’t just here to get a degree – you're here to figure out who you are becoming, and most of that magic happens outside of your schoolwork.
So, if you leave with happy memories, deeper friendships, and a better understanding of who you are after these four years, was any of it really a “waste?”
Derek Memmesheimer - Photographer
If you're reading this, trust your wings.
College is full of new things: new experiences, new challenges, new expectations, and new comparisons. And speaking from experience, it’s really easy to get caught up in it all, especially the expectations and the comparisons.
When I first came to Virginia Tech, I was an undecided major. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to pursue academically or professionally. That uncertainty was a huge weight on me. It felt like everyone else had a plan. They were landing internships, moving forward in their majors, while I was just taking pathway classes, unsure of where I was going. I spent a lot of time comparing myself to others, which only made that lost feeling worse.
But eventually, during my sophomore year, I found photography. And for the first time, I felt like I had something that grounded me- something that made me excited about the future. That discovery did not happen overnight, and it didn't erase all the doubts I had. But it was a start. It was my start.
What I’ve learned along the way is that no one is on the exact same path. Everyone comes from a different place. No one else has lived your life. No one has had your childhood, your parents, your struggles, or your unique way of seeing the world. So why compare yourself to someone walking a completely different path?
I recently heard a quote that really stuck with me:
“When a bird lands on a branch, does it trust the branch or its wings?” All I’m going to say is, I’ve never seen a bird fall off a branch. So trust your wings.”
Looking back, I realize I was so focused on what everyone else was doing, I forgot to trust myself. I forgot that I had wings of my own. You do, too.
You might not know exactly where you're headed right now. That’s okay. You might stumble. That’s okay, too. What matters is that you keep going, because your path is yours, and your wings are stronger than you think.
So if you take anything from this, let it be this: trust your wings.
IYRT Exec Class of 2025, Virginia Tech
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