Aalishba Ahmad, University of Illinois

It’ll all come together: your role, your calling, your strengths. Give it time and have patience. Appreciate every teacher you have as they all impact you in a way that will change your life. Don’t waste any moment and take every opportunity that comes your way. There is nowhere better to be yourself and to step out of your comfort zone than here. Everyone is behind you, cheering you on (including me!)

To Sammie Sabin: my throne
To Sophia Hoppe: my wedding dress
To Alecia Fitzgerald: my love for Michelle Obama
To Ceci Baillon: my ability to NOT be sassy (what?!)
To Sadie Grunau: my feminism, feminist socks, and nonexistent journal
To Cristina Suarez Lopez: the SOCS legacy
To Caroline Schlehuber: my forever sisterhood
To Grace Conroy: my love for social justice and activism