Higher Calling: Senior Spotlight on Emerald St Laurent

Emerald St Laurent-Emei to her friends-learned a profound lesson this past semester. She was on a worship retreat she'd planned for a group of TLU students. "It was such a blessing to be able to serve my peers, but it was also such a huge learning experience in so many ways," she says, looking back. As part of the retreat, the group offered their services to the Salvation Army. "We got the opportunity to organize the pantry for the facility," St Laurent recalls. "At the time it felt like it was such a small project, and I found myself wishing we had something bigger."

But that situation taught St Laurent a lesson she'll never forget. "It was such a good reminder that even the smallest acts of service can be transformational for the person you are serving."

That wisdom will come in handy after St Laurent, who's double majoring in psychology and theology with a concentration in youth ministry, graduates this spring. She plans to take a gap semester to work at a local church, and after that, to go on to Texas State University to pursue her master's degree in professional psychology.

Those are all steps toward her higher calling. "I hope to be a light in the world amid all the darkness that is currently around, as well as teach youth about the Gospel and equip them with the ability to show love to everyone they encounter."