Emily Kearns Sr. • Forward Hopkins, MN	Memories are what mostly remain of the last four years – and it’s been a crazy ride. It seems like just yesterday that I skipped the first team dryland of my college career because I thought it was optional … I soon found out that “optional” really meant “mandatory.” Oops. But thank you, Nitara, for clearing that up for me. I should start by thanking my parents, first and foremost, for not denying me the opportunity to play the most expensive sport known to mankind, while wondering if I would quit after a year or two like I did with almost every other sport I tried. Hey, at least we finally found the right one for me. I think you guys will miss watching me play more than I miss it myself, but there will always be the old lady’s league I can play in. But seriously, thank you, Mom and Dad, for coming to as many games as possible, and I think I owe you a new car after all the miles you put on it coming to watch me play. You have bent over backwards to put my playing before most other things for the past seven years. I love you both. P.S. Mom, I think I can speak on behalf of the team when I say thanks for all the colorful and creative Rice Krispy bars over the years. Thank you to my siblings Julie (Brian), Becky, Gary, Kelly, and “adopted” brother, Matt for being my Superfans. It’s been a lot of fun for me to see you in the stands game after game supporting the team. Gary, I know it killed you to see Saint Mary’s beat Bethel this year, but thanks for coming anyways. And I can’t forget to mention my grandparents, extended family, friends, and neighbors (Tom Carlson) to who I am very grateful for supporting me as well. The Stroessner Family, Todd, Liz, Laura, and Jack also deserve a huge thank you for getting me on that first Spring League team and supplying me with endless Gopher sticks, tape, and equipment – not to mention supporting me as one of their own. The eclectic group of individuals I have played with over the past four years have come to be the best group of friends for which I could have ever asked. It is hardest for me to sum up four years of college hockey into several paragraphs because it just doesn’t do it or my past and present teammates justice. So please forgive me when I get long-winded here. Some of the prominent memories are our several trips to upstate New York for Nationals, not to mention Canada, living in Yon’s, road trips, the scar on my side measurable only in inches, bluff runs on hot days, hanging over the ditch in the bus, winning, losing, tying – six times last year, Spring Break trips, the locker room, the parties – we don’t do that – wait, let’s be honest here … who am I kidding? There are too many to list, not to mention the out of season activities — Intramural Softball Champs, Blue Balls Broomball, Night games ... watch out for that chain, and conversations strictly using movie quotes. Who ARE we, seriously? It was an incredible experience to play college hockey – one I never dreamt would be part of my life, and with it will come many long-lasting friendships. Tennie, remember our road trip? Di – to the only one who appreciates green as much as I … operation pop-fly? Kendall – thanks for always listening to me bang on the ivories, not to mention putting up with me playing Christmas music in May. Beth – what I wouldn’t do for one more round of hall-sliding. Alissa — your psychoanalytic insight to all the confusing aspects of my life are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your patience. I hope we get to live together soon! I can’t forget to include Tasa and Ann – it’s not the same without you two, but thanks for the continuing support this year; I know it must be hard for you to come watch. It’s greatly appreciated. Tasa, I’ll just have OOOOONNNNNEEEEEE more breadstick. The first three years had a somewhat similar look to the team with the older girls like O’Neil, Mo, Laura, Nitara, Josie, Hicks, Meemken, and Sara. A special shout goes out to my neighbors last year, Sarah and Monica. Monica – we had fun. I miss you so much, but I’m glad we talk often. In fact, I think you’re calling as I type. I’ll call you back. Maybe we can make tie-dye shirts soon!!! Thanks to the Deringer Family, too, for making Brooklyn Park my second home when Monica is in town. Sarah – thanks for checking up on me and showing me some crazy times. Would you like a rice patty? I hope I can make a special trip out to see the Griswold, er, I mean Gibbons’ Family very soon. I miss you guys. To the current Cardinals and without getting too sappy, thanks for making my senior year a memorable one. Each of you brings something special to the team and help to make it complete. Graffy – you can keep those pants … they won’t fit me after hockey anyways. Sorry about the ranch dressing stain. To Kitty Kate, the baddest cat around — don’t let that parrot steal your credit. GOULET! Those steaks were GOOOOOOOD. And to Jen, in the words of “Frank Ricard,” you’re crazy, but I like you, but you’re crazy! Thanks for the laughs … many more to come. Day, by day, by day, by day you’ve made my last year here awesome in all aspects. Thank you Donny, for all you’ve done and for making a tipped-in goal, sound like an ESPN top-five clip. Your work does not go unnoticed. Duncan and Anna-Marie, thanks for the guidance in helping me achieve my goals. I am especially happy that I can run a mile under 7:40. You have a lot of patience to put up with 25 different personalities for six months straight while letting us act up as college students do, but knowing when we need to be serious too. Thanks for the endless skate-sharpening at all times and those ping-pong matches … maybe I’ll beat you one day yet. Thanks again! I hope that what I have learned these last four years, combined with the memories I have made, will help me in the future. It’s that time to move on and I will not have a hard time never having to wake up for a 6 a.m. dryland again. Ha, ha. Thanks for the memories… “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past.” — Edward Gibbon