This academic year has affirmed that community is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Entering college, I believed that with enough drive and resilience, I could carry the weight of everything—academic challenges, leadership roles, personal growth—on my own. I viewed independence as the highest form of strength. But over time, and especially throughout this past year, I’ve come to understand that true strength often lies in connection. Community is not just a comforting presence—it is an essential force that sustains, protects, and empowers.

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This year challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. There were moments of immense pressure, times when I questioned my place, my value, and my direction. But in those moments, it was the people around me who reminded me who I was. Campus spaces, like the AACRC or EPS, remained a grounding space where I felt seen, heard, and validated. Friends became mirrors, reflecting back my strength when I couldn’t recognize it myself. Mentors gave me wisdom and clarity when everything felt chaotic. Even the small moments—shared meals, late-night conversations, words of encouragement—helped to refill my emotional cup in ways I hadn’t realized I needed.

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This year has completely reshaped my understanding of what it means to thrive. Community is not just about belonging—it’s about being challenged, affirmed, and held accountable by people who want to see you win. It’s about reciprocal care, where you pour into others while being poured into. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about finding safety in spaces that allow you to show up as your full self, without apology.

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Moving forward, I no longer romanticize isolation or see self-reliance as the sole path to success. I now understand that the strongest leaders, scholars, and changemakers are often those rooted in deep community. They draw strength from others, they know how to ask for help, and they recognize that healing and growth are collective processes.

I am incredibly grateful for the relationships, spaces, and communities that have poured into me this year. They have not only sustained me—they have helped shape the person I am becoming.