I just recently returned to good ol' TO after spending a great week home with my family and friends in Massachusetts. The main purpose of my visit was to walk in Bridgewater State University's Commencement for the Class of 2011! It truly was a beautiful ceremony, followed by an interesting, fun, and energetic party in my parents backyard. The day was all I thought it would be and more and I could not have felt more grateful for the people present in my life.
Among those people, the most important for my growth at BSU and as a woman, was my family, my mentor, Dr. Jonathan White, and my Social Justice League/FAM/Free The Children peers. If it wasn't for this cohort of people, my years at BSU would not have been nearly as successful or memorable as they were. Without the love, support, dedication, and push of these people, I would never have had the opportunities to...
Mentor two amazing young people, Angel and Nichole.
Educate my fellow peers and community on issues such as homelessness, children's rights, global education.
Help BSU become sweat free through the Workers Rights Consortium.
Meet and introduce an inspiring individual, and now good friend, Michel Chikwanine.
Convince Sodexo and BSU to sell fair trade coffee on campus.
Be an active part in BSU's decision to become a fair trade university.
Help plan and participate in four consecutive Tent Cities.
Received Outstanding Leadership awards or the Who's Who.
My years at BSU have been, by far, the most intense, worthwhile, life-altering years I have yet to face in my young life. The people I met have shaped me to be who I am and have taught me to never doubt myself and always look for ways to improve and enhance what I am doing in life. My friends in the Social Justice League, FAM for Change, and Free The Children taught me that it is indeed young people that change the world every day.
Without my mentor, Dr. Jonathan White, I never would have broken out of my shell and learned about the issues that have now consumed my life. I never would have thought I could write a 10+ page journal entry about Genocide, multiple research papers about inequality, or an Honors Thesis. Without my mentor, I do not believe I would have made it to graduation day as soon as I had... he pushed me and encouraged me through hard times, convinced me of my potential, and never hesitated to say (nicely, of course) "I told ya so" when I would be rewarded with awards at BSU. And finally, without my mentor and friend, I never would have taken a leap of faith like moving to a new country to work for Free The Children. He introduced me to the organization and assured me that I could make a life for myself here... and I have.
So to my loving family and friends... Thank you. It is because of you that I have accomplished so much in such a short time, and to you I owe this honor.
