Yayanta B-D.

What has day-to-day student life at Pingree been like for you, and how have you made this community your own?

Day-to-day student life at Pingree is rewarding. Although being a student at Pingree requires overcoming challenges and putting in dedication, no level of success goes unseen. Everyday, I balance sports, academics, and my social life with the undeniable support from my peers. The care that Pingree provides their community with is evident and influential. Pingree is always teaching the student body how to foster a healthy environment where everyone can thrive. To do so, I always create the time to participate in different clubs, introduce myself to new students, and contribute my own ideas in discussions of all different sizes, assuring that I am allowing myself and others to feel that this community is one that anyone can belong in.

Was there a specific moment when you truly felt connected and knew Pingree was the right choice for you?

Growing up and going to school with people who didn’t look like me was hard. I was one of two Black people in my middle school. Every few months I would get new braids, but I rarely let my hair down because of how abnormal I felt. The few times I did leave my hair down never went unnoticed. I constantly felt like the center of attention and would get compliments every time I walked through the halls. As nice as that may sound, I was tired of sticking out. At Pingree, I was given the opportunity to show off who I am without hesitation. After the first few weeks of my Freshman year, I decided to let my hair down. I got a few compliments from my friends, but was at ease when faculty and classmates made it feel like just another day. It was at that moment I realized Pingree is a space I can feel fully myself. A space I can say I belong in with pride.

How would you describe the culture and student body at Pingree to a prospective family who has never visited?

The Pingree community is truly one of a kind. It creates the type of atmosphere one could independently insert themselves into and feel grounded. My first time meeting some of the student body at Pingree was during volleyball captains practice my freshman year. Pulling up to the athletic center, I saw students walking around with sports gear and talking with friends. When I entered the athletic center and got onto the court where practice was being held, there was music playing and players getting ready, singing and talking to each other. Pingree is the type of place where students are excited and ready to come back when the Summer is coming to an end.

What motivated you to participate in the Rosebud Program, and what was the highlight of that experience for you?

Being given an opportunity to connect with new people while being in a new environment was something that sounded perfect for me. I also love helping people whenever I can, so being able to do so, making a positive impact, is an amazing opportunity. At one of the Boys & Girls Clubs I went to, there was a little girl who enjoyed sitting with me while a lot of the boys played basketball. We talked and joked around and I even heard her tell one of the girls that she and I were friends as though she were showing off. As we were leaving they were making art inside and just as I was stepping out of the door, she softly told me to “wait”. She proceeded to hand me a small piece of paper with a drawing she made of myself. It is easy to say this was the highlight of my trip. I went into this experience with the objectives of making people happier and connecting with new people. Through that small drawing, I was proven to be doing just as I hoped.

How did taking part in Rosebud shape your perspective, personal growth, or connections with fellow Pingree students back on campus?

Rosebud is a trip that encourages students to be open-minded when it comes to sharing their experience with new people. I am specifically grateful for that aspect of Rosebud because it deepened my understanding of the Pingree student body. Since the day I entered Pingree, I knew that there was something special about the student body, but traveling with my peers made me realize how unique and brilliant each student is. Attending Rosebud has given me the confidence to continue reaching out to new people, something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. In other words, Rosebud taught me that all it takes is one simple conversation.

What do you think prospective students should know about Pingree's experiential learning and summer trips like Rosebud that isn't obvious from a brochure?

Pingree’s experiential learning and summer trips are valued not only for their academic benefits, but more so for the one-of-a-kind experiences they allow students to engage in. During my trip on Rosebud, I learned lessons that will stick with me throughout my life. Some days did not go as planned and we were outside taking down our tents during windy thunderstorms, but it was those days where everyone truly experienced the authenticity of these trips. Pingree's experiential learning opportunities teach students that in all learning events, it's the people and the memories that create significance.