Rhonda Hughes

I just want to start by thanking Stacy Peterson for even recommending me for Student of the Month. I truly did not see this coming at all. I am so honored to be named Normandale’s Student of the Month for the Psychology Department. Psychology is more than just a class subject to me it has become part of how I understand myself, others, and the world around me.

Last year was one of the hardest years of my life. On January 7, 2025, I lost my brother. Losing someone so close to you changes everything. Grief is not something you can prepare for, and it does not follow a straight line. During that time, I was taking Psychology of Death and Dying and Psychology of the Life Span. It felt almost unreal to be learning about grief, development, and loss while going through it in real life. Some days were heavier than others. There were moments when sitting in class felt overwhelming. But at the same time, those classes gave me language for what I was feeling.

In Psychology of Death and Dying, I learned about the stages of grief, coping mechanisms, and how people process loss in different ways. I realized that grief does not look the same for everyone. I understood that what I was feeling shock, sadness, anger, even numbness, was part of a natural process. In Life Span Psychology, I learned about development across different stages of life. That class helped me think about how loss affects families differently depending on age, role, and life experience. Instead of feeling completely lost, I began to reflect in a deeper way. There were days when I had to push myself to keep going. Balancing school while grieving was not easy. But psychology became something that grounded me. It reminded me why I chose this field in the first place. I have always wanted to understand people on a deeper level and to be someone others can talk to during difficult times. Experiencing loss while studying psychology strengthened that desire. It made everything more personal and more meaningful. Currently, I am taking Introduction to Psychology, and it feels different now compared to when I first started my academic journey. The concepts connect more deeply. When we talk about mental health, coping strategies, brain function, or emotional regulation, I do not just see theories, I see real life. I see how knowledge can turn into support. I see how education can turn into empathy.

Being recognized as Student of the Month means more to me than just good grades. It represents resilience. It represents showing up even when things are hard. It represents growth through pain. Last year tested me in ways I never expected, but it also reminded me of my strength and my purpose. Psychology has helped me understand not only grief, but also healing. I am so grateful to my professors and classmates who created a supportive environment during such a difficult time. Their understanding made it possible for me to continue moving forward. This recognition encourages me to keep striving for excellence, not just academically, but personally. My brother’s memory motivates me every day to keep pushing, to keep learning, and to keep becoming the best version of myself.

Again, thank you to Stacy Peterson and the Psychology Department for this honor. I am proud to be part of a field that values compassion, understanding, and growth. This award is not just an achievement it is a reminder of how far I have come and how much further I plan to go.

^{All info expressed here represent the student’s personal story and perspective.}