March DATE, 2020 | By Su Karagoz (A20)

Jodi-Ann Griffin is originally from Jamaica, but she has been living in Maryland since 2013. Her senior essay is entitled “Pain: The Price for Greatness!”

What was at the heart of your argument?

I was mostly curious about David’s relationship with God. He honored God throughout every hardship he faced in his life. David was betrayed by the people closest to him; he loved and blessed them regardless of whether they offended him or not. Even though King Saul tried to kill David, instead of killing him, David honored King Saul in his death. As a matter of fact, when David found the person who killed King Saul, he killed them because of the ‘cruel’ act that they had committed. I was curious about David’s relationship with God because I wanted to relate David’s life to mine. I wanted to analyze whether I had a similar relationship with God. If I honor Him (God) would He bless me like how He blessed David?

How did your essay connect to different aspects of the Program from throughout your four years?

I believe my essay connected to the different aspects of the Program when it helped me slow down and realize all of the blessings that come from my struggles, just like David’s struggles and his blessings. Each year, whether in the books we read, the conversations we have, or even just our daily lives, we all experience pain and hardship. Sometimes we are curious as to why. Sometimes we don’t even realize that at the end of our sufferings, we do in fact get some blessings. Whether we struggle in math, then feel so much joy and accomplishment when we figure out that proposition; or whether we get injured on the soccer field and then, after a period of time, we get back out there; or even in language, when we struggle to complete a paper that felt unsatisfying [only for] a tutor to compliment it. My essay shows that we might struggle, but something great is coming from that struggle.

What was the writing process like for you?

The writing process was amazing. From the very beginning of writing period, I would go to the coffee shop early each morning and work for a few hours. By the time we were two weeks in, I had around 15 pages. Even though I did end up starting over after those two weeks, I had ample material to work with, and the paper came together quite nicely.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned during your time at St. John’s?

Take everything with you. The friends you make will become your family; hold on to that and never take it for granted. Your time at St. John’s flies by so fast, but at the end of it all, every memory, every adventure, and even every disagreement will be worth it. Keep asking why, how, what, when, and where. Never stop questioning the things around you and never stop trying to be better. As much as you value yourself, value those around you. This life you create at St. John’s is just a stepping stone to who you will become—treasure every moment.