When disaster hit, Savannah and Ashlynn chose education and friendship over fear
Savannah and Ashlynn — two friends from Gilbert, Arizona — demonstrate how a friendship can bring joy and success. Even when their original plans went awry, their support for each other led them to a brighter future through PathwayConnect.
Savannah: Abrupt Endings
Savannah Goodman served seven wonderful weeks as a full-time missionary in Orlando, Florida, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Unfortunately, her time as a missionary was cut short when the COVID-19 crisis hit the United States. Savannah said, “It was just a lot of shock at once. I got a call from the mission president on a Friday saying we were going home. Then, that next Wednesday, I was already on a plane heading back to Arizona.”
Savannah returned home feeling as if all her plans had fallen apart. That’s when she received an email notifying her that tuition for BYU-Pathway Worldwide’s PathwayConnect program was 25% off for returned missionaries. This seemed like an answer to her prayers. She immediately enrolled in the upcoming semester. Savannah said, “Joining PathwayConnect was a huge blessing. It’s great that I’m not just sitting around doing nothing, and having religion classes really helps me feel near the Spirit.”
Getting started with BYU-Pathway Worldwide has blessed the lives of many returned missionaries. Savannah, like many others, said, “The transition from the mission to normal life is hard.” As returned missionaries begin to focus on education — paired with religious instruction — purpose floods back into their lives.
This difficult transition can also be made easier by inviting a friend to participate too! Not only is this true for returned missionaries, but for all students. Elder Dieter F. Uctdorf said, “[We must] help each other to become the best we can be.”Savannah is lucky to have the kind of friend who inspires her to be her best; Ashlynn Casselbury had always been a loyal, true friend to Savannah. Because of this, Savannah invited Ashlynn to begin PathwayConnect alongside her.
Ashlynn: The Friend Who Made All the Difference
Ashlynn had also been suffering due to cancellations related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. She was a senior in high school when schools suddenly shut down for the rest of the year. Ashlynn couldn’t sing in the choir she had been a part of for six years or attend her graduation ceremony.
In this time of disappointment, Savannah excitedly told Ashlynn about PathwayConnect. She said to Ashlynn, “You could do this with me. You want to go to college anyway, and we could help each other!” Ashlynn decided it would be a great idea to get a head start on college and enrolled.
New Beginnings
Having a friend by your side to support you through PathwayConnect makes all the difference. Savannah said, “Ashlynn comes over and we work on homework. It is great! Now, I have a set time to do my classes and I don’t put it off.”
Ashlynn and Savannah plan to continue supporting each other in their educational dreams. Both women will apply to the Disney College Program this August, and they plan on pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Applied Management in the coming years.
Savannah said, “I would like to get a business degree so I can manage my own wedding decorating business!” Ashlynn also has dreams of being a small business owner and setting up her own photography studio.
BYU-Pathway’s PathwayConnect and online certificate and degree programs are available completely online. Applications for new students are currently open, so invite a friend today!