November 2016: It was dark, curly, and nothing dared to tame it-so bold, yet beautiful. I finally did it; I wore my afro to school! February 2009: "Gabby, what's it like to be black?" my third grade English teacher asked.  It was February: Black History Month. I had just finished my PowerPoint on Alicia Keys' success when my teacher asked me this awkward question. With their straight hair and light skin, my classmates looked at me, eagerly waiting for my response. "Uh,...

Why Yale? Professor Honeychurch whose class sparked my interest in archaeology and the shopping period which allows me to explore those sparks. Why Yale? Shades Acapella and being able to share my talents with the general Yale community while in the Afro-American Cultural Center. Why Yale? The Yale-labeled recycling bins on the street sidewalks which showed me that Yale cares about sustainability, which at the rate our world is going, is critical. Why Yale? College teas, the residential college system,...

As the only freshman in Cabaret, I stared at the senior vocal captain creating a three part harmony to Put Your Records On with utter admiration. “I can’t pair C sharp with G because that would be an augmented fourth and make the chord progression a dissonant leap,” Michael thought aloud. Whatever that meant. Don’t get me wrong I knew those two notes didn’t sound good together—I just couldn’t quite explain why, and that irked...

I had a crush on Swarthmore long before I visited. I remember the first time I laid eyes on Swarthmore, well its mail. I was immediately attracted to the intelligent, yet comedic prose each letter included. However, I was careful to not let my love go too far, as I knew it was merely superficial. So, I decided to visit to truly see if my admiration was sincere. Before the campus tour started, our tour guide casually introduced herself as...

 Freedom of speech is an interesting concept. Although it’s given to me under the Constitution, I sometimes found myself afraid to speak up and exercise my right in conversations with people who held different views than me. Thankfully, my fear dwindled after joining Spectrum, the school newspaper, a club where freedom of speech flourishes.         I will always remember my first layout week: Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm, we passionately worked together to assemble and publish our newspaper....

I felt invincible as I sprinted past my top competitor on the backstretch. Our team was only a few points from first place, but by winning this relay we would clinch the division title. “STICK!” I yelled. Tiana, our third leg, extended her left arm as I extended my right. As she started to sprint, I knew we were going to win. But when my hand let go, the unthinkable happened; the baton dropped, forfeiting our possible victory. Rather than...

“Gabby, what do you know about the brand Supreme? Should I get that for my son?” After first period economics, Mrs. Rosenberg and I converse about everything from presents to how interest rates affect urban development. I enjoy talking to my teachers after class. Because of this, I appreciate how Duke values intellectual stimulation beyond lectures and textbooks. At Duke, I’m encouraged to continue building similar relationships with professors through programs such as FLUNCH and Duke Conversations. Only here...

The intense rainfall seemed endless as clouds gathered in the Trinidadian sky; still, I put on my swimsuit. “By faith!” my dad exclaimed as my mom, grandma and I giggled. My dad was adamant that through God’s miraculous ways, the rain would stop by the time we got to the beach. However, throughout the hour-long car ride, I realized that the storm was not “passing over,” like the suggests. My parents noticed how my trust was lacking and reminded...