By BETHANY SHERROW
Features Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Senior Miranda Maher said she has grown from a shy freshman into a young woman who isn’t afraid to take a few risks.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MIRANDA MAHER
Miranda Maher, left, and Andrea Lopez visited St. Lucia on a global service trip through UCM during the summer 2015.

One adventure Maher embarked on was going on a global service trip to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

“I just kind of applied for it on a whim,” Maher said. “I didn’t think I was going to get it because it was totally free. I was like, ‘no way am I going to get it.’ Then when I got it I was like overwhelmed because I had never been out of the country. I don’t do that…scary.”’

While Maher said it was out of character for her to spend two and a half weeks in a foreign country with people she didn’t know, the experience shaped who she is.

“It definitely showed me that I can be independent,” Maher said.

Fluent in American Sign Language, Maher used her expertise in St. Lucia when she met a deaf man and struck up a conversation with him.

PHOTO BY ANDREA LOPEZ / NEWS EDITOR

“We had just taken a huge hike, we got down there and I saw him,” she said. “For some reason I just went up to him and asked if he knew someone who was deaf and he started signing to me and I was like, ‘No way!’”

Understanding ASL has enabled Maher to get to know individuals that most people can’t.

“I always was interested in it because I like different,” she said. “I don’t like to just do what everyone else is doing. I like learning about people that most people don’t understand. A lot of people are afraid of deaf people, but I want to get to know them.”

Maher said UCM has given her many life skills and has made her feel at home during her three years here. While she may be graduating in May, a whole year early, Maher said she’s not leaving yet.

Through a two-year program, Maher plans to earn her master’s degree from UCM.

“It’s counselor education, and then I’m going to get an emphasis in secondary and elementary school, so I’m going to be a school counselor,” Maher said.

Maher said she loved being a part of many activities during her time at UCM and advises others to do the same.

“Be open to things because looking back I never thought I would be in this position,” she said. “Jump into it. You don’t really get a lot out of just sitting in your dorm room. Get out there and meet new people. Make those connections.”