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All right, first question: How did you first start getting involved with YV?
Layla: I joined the Community Improvement Project at Blackstone because it sounded interesting and was activism-focused. It was during the pandemic so I had all my discussions with Andrea and Gretta virtually. I was really nervous at first but felt welcomed by the YV community and became more involved with BACS 2.0. This year, I’ve been trying to take the lead with Yarisa to create the agenda, facilitate meetings, and arrange contact between staff and students to focus on the changes we want to see in our school. I’ll always have a soft spot for BACS 2.0, but I feel like every YV program has influenced me in some way and made me a stronger leader and self-advocate.
Christian: I actually became involved with YV because of my friends, Layla and Favour. I joined online for the very first time during Emerging Brilliance, when everything was still being done virtually. It was a brand new experience for me, because I had never been to a virtual fundraiser before. From that point on I joined meetings pretty regularly, even continuing to attend them when YV reopened in Providence. I was very hesitant at first because you know, RIPTA, but I just followed my friends downtown and got into a routine on 204 Westminster.
Valeria: I came to the US from Colombia in 2021 and didn’t really have much guidance about afterschool programs or anything like that. My Biology teacher at the time recommended I join the Young Voices summer program. I was so scared of my English at first, but I found Andrea who could translate for me, and after a while it started to feel like a family. Getting to know more people and share my ideas, I was able to do more activities that improved my confidence. I started coming to YV during the school year to use the power of my voice, lead workshops at Brown University, and advocate for multilingual learners.
Wujuudat: I am somebody who likes to try new things and get different skills under my belt. I was always very future-oriented so as a young kid I was looking to do something that looked good on my college resume. When Ashley and Marco came on Zoom to talk about YV during my summer program, I actually set a goal for myself to get accepted into Young Voices the following year. It seemed so inspiring to me, so I thought, what could be the harm? I filled out an interest form then started attending the program virtually in my ninth grade year. I was so happy to work on projects like GRL PWR.
Juliana: I joined my sophomore year right after COVID ended. I didn’t have any other friends at Classical besides Wujuudat, who invited me. But I also heard about it from Favour, who went to the same middle school as me. So I had not just one, but two people telling me to go! Over time, I started to learn that there’s much more to YV than just the afternoon program. This year I’m doing the RIDOT project, and I just attended my first Youth-Led Summit!
You see? Peer pressure works! Talk a little bit about your college plans and what you’ll be studying.
Layla: Well, at first I thought I’d be going to Swarthmore in Pennsylvania, but there was still a $15,000 tuition gap. Dartmouth College ended up being way more giving, because they just got a huge billion-dollar grant to support their students, so now I’ll be heading up to New Hampshire! I’m studying English right now, but I’ll see where that pathway leads me. I’m very interested in film, so I’m also hoping to explore those interests in some capacity. Oh, and I really want to learn how to ski, because Dartmouth owns their own ski slope!
Christian: I’ll be studying International Affairs at New York University with a double major in History and minor in Politics. The day I opened my decision letter from NYU I was fully expecting a rejection, but I was shocked to see that not only would I be accepted, but I’d be getting $82,000 in financial aid per year! I always knew deep down that I wanted to be in the city and live in a global community like NYC. I may not get the “conventional” college experience, but will have the experience of learning and living in the best city in the world.
Valeria: I will be going to Brandeis University, and I’m happy to say it will be on a full ride scholarship because of the support I got from Young Voices. I will be majoring in Marketing with a minor in Computer Science as a member of the International Business Program. I want to be on the Brandeis social media team and participate in student government once I’m there. I also want to join a dance team and explore my artistic interests, as well as continuing to use the power of my voice.
Wujuudat: I plan to start on a pre-med track at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science. From there, I’ll finish with my Master’s degree or whatever is most desirable for the market and then get into medical school. I hope to eventually find a college closer to home so that I can commute more easily. Watch for me next year because I’ll be doing big things up in Boston!
Juliana: I’m going to Providence College to study Finance and hope to get into private equity. I plan to eventually invest in land development and stuff like that. I don’t know if any of that will come true, but who knows! And maybe, I’ll donate to Young Voices.
Y’all are amazing. How do you think Young Voices helped prepare you for success beyond high school?
Layla: A lot of different ways! The public speaking aspect for sure, I genuinely feel so comfortable speaking now. On my last portfolio review I had to speak for an hour straight and barely even stuttered. There was also the general planning and leadership aspect, especially with BACS 2.0. YV has made me feel more capable of doing things I didn’t think I could do. It really beefed up that college resume, ya know.
Christian: Without YV, I don’t think I would have gotten into any of the schools I did. I think that’s what made me competitive for a lot of the colleges I applied to. Looking back on my common application, I think my strongest attributes were in my activities section. Young Voices was also my intro to activism and having a global perspective on my community.
Valeria: If I didn’t have Young Voices, I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now. Sadly, high school did not provide me with the support and motivation I needed to succeed in college. At YV I was inspired to keep going, to have persistence, to not let closed doors discourage me. I had a LOT of help with my college applications and financial aid. YV was also able to support my professional goals through different presentations, networking events, and career pathways. They taught me how to work for opportunities and advocate for myself.
Wujuudat: It all started with a lesson on projecting my voice that Gretta taught me. Gretta was like a little fairy that bestowed me with the power of speaking up and projecting. That’s what gave me the confidence I needed to never be silent anymore. YV also helped me with my college stuff, helped me have fun, kept me occupied, helped me meet some great people, and helped me build a network inside and outside of Rhode Island.
Juliana: YV prepared me for my college future in several ways. I kinda got accepted into many schools basically for mentioning Young Voices. By participating in college access interviews, I also learned about interview etiquette and what to look out for. It really helped develop my communication skills because I would mostly keep my ideas to myself, but YV made me better at paying attention and acknowledging other people’s perspectives.
Seems like you’re all taking a little different piece of YV with you. What are you most excited about next year?
Layla: Just being in a new environment, having lived in Pawtucket my entire life. I’m excited to go to New Hampshire because it all sounds really fun to me. I can’t wait to be a part of college classes and have intellectual discussions. And the food! Endless vegetables, so easy to come by.
Christian: I’m excited to explore New York City, living in the Lower East Side, taking more specific history classes, and being surrounded by so many different people and cultures. I was filling out my course registration form and there is an EXTENSIVE list of history classes. I think I’m really going to thrive in a lecture-style environment.
Valeria: Finally getting to live in dorms, even if I’m still a little scared about that! I love to experience new things, challenge myself, and get out of my comfort zone. I know this is going to be an experience that changes me. After coming to the US I was able to see my growth in just two years, so I’m even more excited to see how I’ll grow over the next four or five at Brandeis, professionally and emotionally.
Wujuudat: Honestly? Just doing well. I want to fully understand what I’m reading, and fully understand myself so that I can better adjust to my surroundings and be confident in moving onto my next steps. I’m feeling a little nervous, but I’ll be able to give it more time and emotion once I’m there.
Juliana: Finding a new routine as I settle into college. I’m slightly nervous about doing things out of the ordinary, but I know I’m going to have to suck it up. Figuring out when I wake up, where to go. Maybe I’ll have fun walking to Providence College and forcing myself to meet new people. I want to join new clubs and organizations, as well as learn what finance is all about.
We’re excited for you guys, too! Last question for everyone: What advice would you give to a freshman just beginning their high school journey?
Layla: Try new things and put yourself out there! I feel like I’m in such a different position from the person I was 3-4 years ago just because I put myself out there. Looking back, it felt like it all flew by. Embrace it, enjoy it, take both the good and the bad. Live laugh love, ya know?
Christian: Say yes more than you say no, even when it’s uncomfortable. Whenever I said yes to something I didn’t want to do at first, it opened up whole new possibilities for me. I’m a creature of habit and kind of a homebody at heart. But something I noticed about myself is that I became extremely outgoing, because I was more fearful of missing out than saying yes. Because I thought, what if this opportunity is the thing that changes my life?
Valeria: Your dreams are not impossible. When things look hard, you have to keep trying and ask for help. There are always people willing to support you. If you keep looking, then you’re going to find them. You can achieve great things when you have discipline and don’t procrastinate. When you lack motivation, that’s when you have to rely on discipline, and you need to apply those things to get what you want. You have to not just think about yourself right now, but your future.
Wujuudat: Get involved with the right things and do well, but also think about what you actually like to do. Put yourself at the center of every decision you make, because you don’t get to do that enough. When I was in high school, I felt like some of the choices I made were not really my own. Ask more questions, because you can always get the answers you’re looking for.
Juliana: Get a planner, talk to your teacher, and connect with your guidance counselors. Socially, you don’t have to force friendships. Hang out with people who laugh easily, because they make you think you’re funny. Both clubs and sports help with friendships, so definitely try those out. Don’t trust other people’s judgments and mind your own business when it comes to drama, because you’ll feel better that way.
It was our pleasure to reflect with these incredible young people, all of whom will be doing exceptional things in the months and years to come. But the truth is that every single one of our Class of 2024 has had an equally amazing story to tell. If you’re feeling inspired by Layla, Christian, Valeria, Wujuudat, Juliana, or any other young leader you’ve met in Young Voices, we remind you that our Spring Campaign is still well underway until the end of June. Consider making your contribution today to ensure we have just as many successful seniors to brag about in our Class of 2025!
Sincerely,
The Young Voices Team
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