What does it mean to be a member of Scholae Palatinae for me? Well, there are many meanings.

First of all, our clan has taught me the true meaning of family and friendship. When I first came here to the DJB, I had no friends, no job, a broken heart after a runaway fiance, a disease doctors told me I couldn't handle, and depression up the wah-zoo. I was hesitant at first, and because of this I didn't join as quickly as I was invited to by Shadow, but I eventually took the plunge, downloaded Telegram, and decided to explore this new world. Immediately I encountered wonderful friends that were ready and very willing to get to know me simply for me: not because of what I could do for them, what my mental illnesses and medical conditions made me do, or what boobs I could show them on the internet. They wanted to get to know me because they saw something inside me that I didn't see. And through truly getting to know them and loving them, I learned a way to also get to know and love myself. I have made life long friendships in the Brotherhood that have taught me honor, responsibility, leadership, perseverance, stewardship, and most of all, worth. This clan helped me better myself and believe in my strengths while they ever so lovingly challenged my weaknesses, doubts, and invited me to explore the unknown with them. Because of all this, to be a member of Clan Scholae Palatinae has a much deeper definition. It means to belong to a family that never leaves people behind.

Secondly, being a member means to come to an agreement even if parties still disagree. Many political advancements in my DJB career and the careers of others has brought this to light several times. Just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't mean they can't work alongside you or like you. That's something being in Leadership with CSP has taught me. Though my 'German' (as Jorm likes to call it) side comes out often and can make me out to be a real 'Lara bitch, at the end of the day, I am taught to recognize solution rather than dissolution. I have been trained to expect agreement even among people I disagree with. It has brought true balance to the Force for me, I suppose.

Finally, being a member means to be an explorer. I was always taught from the get-go to explore new fields of the website, explore new competition types, explore the wiki, explore the Shadow Academy campus, and to explore my own interests and the interests of others. When I came to the DJB at first, I wasn't a huge Star Wars Nerd. (I know, I'm a heathen. Shush. Just pass the holy rum.) In fact, it wasn't until I dove further into the Shadow Academy classes that I truly discovered my love for the realm, especially the Advanced Lightsaber Studies course. It fascinated me. Then when I watched the movies over again with a new perspective and a much older outlook, I was able to actually understand what a Republic was and the politics behind what was going on behind the screen in front of me. This brotherhood has given me a much broader perspective on the Star Wars Nerdom as a whole, and has allowed me to find my home within it.

So there ya have it.