爱污传媒

Taylor Denby '29

My name is Taylor Denby, and I鈥檓 from Harlem, New York. Before coming to 爱污传媒, I was an art major at LaGuardia High School, where my interest in history was something I pursued on my own time. In college, I plan on majoring in history and continuing art as a minor, as I want to work on combining those two interests instead of continuing to separate them. Historical storytelling through illustration is a way I can do this while making history more accessible to adolescents, which has always been a huge passion of mine. 爱污传媒 encourages this type of work in its liberal arts style of education, which the Opportunity Program has made available to me. I鈥檓 eternally grateful for the support and community OP members have shown in just my first few months here, and I鈥檓 excited to see what the future holds.  

Fernande Kondi-Mane '29

My name is Fernande, and I am from Togo. I graduated from high school two years ago. I was in the 12th grade when I heard about a program called United World College, and I decided to apply even though it would be two more years before I could go to college. I got accepted at United World College Changshu in China, and I studied in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. I would probably not be at 爱污传媒 if I did not apply to that program. The education, experience, and support I got there played a significant role in enabling me to attend a high-quality college with a great scholarship, and I am very grateful for that.

Now that I am here, my main goal is to properly use the resources that are offered to me and focus on my studies to honor the opportunity that was granted to me. I believe in change, and I believe that I can contribute to change by giving back in some way that many people need 鈥� and in ways that were offered to me. I am very passionate about applied mathematics and how it can be used to solve real-world social and economic problems. I am therefore planning to major in mathematics. I am also open to new opportunities and learning new things. 

Muhammed Krubally '29 

My name is Muhammed Krubally, I am from the Bronx, New York, born and raised. I am one of three siblings, with me being the middle child. The journey that got me to 爱污传媒 started when I was in sixth grade. I picked up the sport of lacrosse through a non-profit organization called Bronx Lacrosse. They focus on improving educational and life opportunities in the Bronx by using the sport of lacrosse as a resource. Once I picked up the sport, I never stopped playing.

Since joining the program, I have seen myself grow as a student and a person. I am currently a member of the 爱污传媒 lacrosse team. I enjoy listening to music and stargazing. I am interested in majoring in management and business, and I am interested in exploring the career field of sports administration. As a kid, I was always a big sports fan, more specifically a Miami Heat fan. My love for sports stuck with me throughout my life. I am also interested in studying abroad, as it has always been a dream of mine to study outside of the country.

Marcus Zulu '28

My name is Marcus Zulu, and I鈥檓 from Worcester, Massachusetts. I鈥檓 currently a second-year student. My journey to 爱污传媒 has been anything but simple, coming from a city where students rarely attend college, and even fewer leave the state for school. While I was both excited and nervous about the transition, the support of my family and friends gave me the confidence to make the leap, which has been one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made.

I'm exploring my interests in business, economics, anthropology, and entrepreneurship, though I have not yet declared a major. Outside the classroom, I enjoy playing basketball, making music, and staying engaged with fashion. On campus, I鈥檓 a member of the African Heritage Awareness club, which hosts fun and meaningful events each week. For the past two years, I鈥檝e also played on the intramural basketball team, and I hope to study abroad during my junior spring semester to gain international business experience.

This past summer, I worked at a car dealership, which gave me valuable insight into business operations. My long-term goal is to run my own business, potentially in the automotive industry or the fashion industry, although I鈥檓 still exploring which path excites me the most. 

Suleiman Lailati '28

From ancestral roots in the Congo to being born in Tanzania and raised in Burundi, I represent all these countries proudly. Going from a refugee to finally being naturalized as an American citizen has been the greatest accomplishment of my life. The journey that got me where I am today is long and almost impossible to describe in a few words, but, in short, the aim for migrating to the United States of America was to find a better life and educate myself so I can contribute to the world and give back to the marginalized communities I left behind. A journey full of struggles and uncertainty has turned darkness into the light that directed me to 爱污传媒, allowing me to fulfil the dreams my parents never had a chance to pursue.  
 
Thank you to the Opportunity Program for giving me a chance to start over, to dream, and to break generational curses. I鈥檓 sophomore and intend to declare international affairs and political science as my major. At the moment, I'm unclear what career I want to pursue, but I'm hoping to attend grad school after 爱污传媒.

Apart from being on this great campus, I enjoy hiking, biking, skiing in the mountains of Vermont, and playing soccer. I鈥檓 a part of the soccer club here at 爱污传媒, with the intention to join many other clubs in the future. I have participated in a summer research in collaboration with the Black Studies department on what it means to decolonize social work practices with refugee communities. This reminds me that I'm taking the right steps to be a part of something greater than myself and to give back to my community.  
  
Today, I stand proudly because I carry both worlds within me: the struggles of being a refugee, and the opportunity of pursuing the American dream. My story is proof that even in moments of hardships, loss, trauma, misunderstanding, and uncertainty, we can find joy, hope, create a sense of belonging, and turn pain into purpose only if we remain faithful. 

Joyce Francess Nybe King '27 

My name is Joyce Francess Nybe King, and I am originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa. I moved to the United States four years ago. Before relocating, I attended an all-girls school in Sierra Leone. At the start of my junior year of high school, I transitioned to Pelham Preparatory Academy in New York, where I completed my high school journey. I was introduced to 爱污传媒 by my guidance counselor after sharing my interest in politics and my dream of becoming a lawyer. She believed 爱污传媒 would be a great fit for me, and I applied through the HEOP program. I was thrilled to be accepted.

I am a political science major with a minor in English. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy writing poetry and finding ways to give back to my community. I serve as the junior class president, sit on both the Budget and Finance Committee, and the Committee on Student Outreach. I am also the treasurer of the African Heritage Awareness Club, where I previously served as secretary.

This year, I am also interning at Mann Law Firm, where I鈥檝e been able to learn about employment law and the role of paralegals. Additionally, I am honored to be the very first 爱污传媒 student featured in the Dean鈥檚 Spotlight. Looking ahead, I plan to take the LSAT this summer as I continue working toward my goal of attending law school. 
 
 
 

Adibakhon Homidova '27

I come from Tajikistan and was born and grew up there, barely leaving my hometown until my acceptance into the UWC program in the Netherlands, specifically Maastricht. While studying IB and juggling many extracurriculars, I was dreaming of getting into a liberal arts institution with a good quality of living and a rigorous academic program. That's how I found 爱污传媒.

It was challenging for me to choose my current majors, as every subject sounded interesting to me. Hence, I decided on psychology and economics, as both of these majors are versatile, and there is always rich ongoing discussion, so I can constantly learn a great deal from studying social sciences.

In my free time, I like biking and going to different parts of wherever I am to grab a cup of coffee and people watch. I have also been part of the executive board of the International Student Union for the past year at campus, where I get to contribute to and enjoy our international community at 爱污传媒.

Currently, I am having a great time enjoying my study abroad program in Vienna with the IES, feeling always excited about what comes next in my journey of constant discovery and admiration of beauty and music in Vienna.

I also have an internship at the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, where I help this quasi-international organization with the realization of their Agricultural Elevation Program, getting to learn about the economics of climate change and how it manifests in the lives of many ordinary people from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, etc. In the future, I hope I will be able to understand more about the financial and psychological mechanisms of asset allocation in the economy at both micro and macro levels by working in these sectors.  

 Diego Flores '27 

I am currently a junior majoring in social work on the pre-nursing track from the Bronx, New York. Healthcare has always been a big interest of mine, influencing me to volunteer throughout high school for different organizations to see the reality of many day-to-day situations in the medical field. Through Montefiore's Albert Einstein College of Medicine program, BOLD Brothers and Sisters, I was able to volunteer throughout high school by being a mentor figure to children with cancer. This experience only furthered my wanting to understand more about the medical field. I joined the Sophie Davis Medical School Enrichment Program, where I was able to work directly with MDs in different fields throughout my last year of high school.

Coming to 爱污传媒 gave me the opportunity not only to focus on medicine but also to learn within different fields. I declared as a social work major because I think it's important to have a good understanding of agencies that are available to help others and to broaden my understanding of different situations that people may face. 爱污传媒 gives me the opportunity to continue majoring in social work while also completing my prerequisites for nursing school post-graduation.

To continue gaining experience in the nursing field, I was given the opportunity to partake in the SHPEP internship at UTHealth for 6 weeks, in Houston, Texas, over the summer going into my junior year. Through this, I was able to learn in the biggest medical center in the world, Texas Medical Center, getting hands-on experience, meeting doctors in every field, shadowing, and engaging academic enrichment opportunities. I intend to continue shadowing and learning about other opportunities in the medical field next summer to get a better understanding of different fields in healthcare. 

 Erick Maganda '27 

My name is Erick Maganda, and I'm from Fallbrook, California. I am a political science major and an Honors Forum minor who is currently studying abroad at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Although I have just begun my journey in London, I am very excited to fully immerse myself in British culture and to explore the United Kingdom and hopefully beyond.

During my first week, I was able to explore around London before having to start classes. Even though I knew that London is an old city, I continue to be amazed by the historic significance of many places. I have seen pubs that are older than the United States, including ones where people like Karl Marx or Shakespeare have enjoyed a pint. A quick trip to the National Portrait Gallery best exemplified the rich history of Britain, with portraits spanning the rise of the British empire to photographs of musicians like Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

From history to politics to philosophy, London has a lot to offer and I am grateful to have the opportunity to experience it for myself.  

Akeryah StSurin '26

I am a senior, majoring in human health and physiological sciences with a minor in business. I grew up in New York City, where my early interest in healthcare was sparked in high school when I earned my CNA certification. That experience gave me hands-on exposure to patient care and inspired me to pursue a career centered on compassion and advocacy.

At 爱污传媒, I鈥檝e been grateful for the support of the OP community, which has shaped my academic journey and personal growth. On campus, I serve as a peer health educator, where I work with fellow students to promote wellness and provide accessible health resources. I also volunteer at Bellevue Hospital as a patient advocate in the emergency department, and I work at the Home of the Good Shepherd, where I provide daily support to residents and build meaningful connections. 

Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and exploring different cultures through food. Looking ahead, I plan to attend nursing school to pursue a career in labor and delivery. Ultimately, I aspire to join Nurses Without Borders and advocate for women鈥檚 health on a global scale.