The day started bright and early as we rounded up our excited students and boarded the bus. Meg Ramey was in charge of our group, with me and Jayda Shuavarnnasri accompanying as chaperones. After we arrived, we had lunch in the UC Santa Cruz dining hall. We all had a tough time holding back—it was all you can eat. And the seventh graders? Well, never underestimate a growing adolescent! I remembered my first few weeks of college and how easy it was to overdo it. I’m sure they will remember their first dining hall experience (and all the ice cream!) when they get to college, and eat more responsibly than I did as a freshman.
This month, we honor peoples whose lived experiences include overcoming racism, enslavement, encampments, and other indignities imposed upon “others”. We uplift them and honor their contributions to our community as we celebrate their accomplishments and allyship.
The journey from being the first in one’s family to attend college to becoming a beacon of hope and leadership in the community is challenging and rewarding.
At First Graduate, we decry anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at our schools, college campuses, and in our communities. Our organization centers around providing access to quality education for everyone. We must stand with all who acknowledge and respect the humanity in each of us. We are one species. In this divisive moment, we implore you to
