First-year Experience – Page 3

Singing Through the Mask

Posted on May 26, 2022September 21, 2022 by Emma Grace Howlett

backs of three female singers facing Bridges Hall of Music stage

By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 When I was ten years old, I auditioned for the Seattle Children’s Chorus with a blanket over my head. I was too shy to sing my audition song, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and hid underneath my comforting childhood friend, Blankie. With the choir director blocked from view and Blankie’s soft blue fabric creating a calming atmosphere, I was able to ...

Life at Pomona Is … (as seen through the lens of everyday objects)

Posted on May 20, 2022September 21, 2022 by Serena Lin

By Serena Lin '25 As my first year of college comes to a close, I’ve looked back on a folder of photos titled “joys.” Being mindful of memorable moments is a habit that I developed as a busy college student. So here are some vignettes about Pomona through the lens of everyday objects. Birdstrike binocular: why not? On a whim, I reached out to the biology department...

Put Yourself Out There

Posted on May 14, 2022September 21, 2022 by Bilal Adamjee

By Bilal Adamjee ‘24 I believe there is beauty in putting yourself out there, in trying new things. To be vulnerable is to set yourself up for success. There is a unique power in this, and I increasingly feel that the community and opportunities at Pomona College are conducive for that. Yes, there are a number of people who know how they want to use their time going into ...

Mock Trial: The Power of Community

Posted on April 28, 2022September 21, 2022 by Vidusshi Hingad

mock trial team holding up one of their members

By Vids Hingad ‘25 Have you ever taken part in something that has changed you radically? I have when I joined Pomona College Mock Trial in October. Little did I know that the day I was accepted into the club, I was about to find a family on campus. Yes, it sounds cliché, but Mock Trial is about so much more than collaborating in a pre-professional setting. For those w...

Catching a Concert in L.A.

Posted on April 22, 2022September 21, 2022 by Porter Reyes

By Porter Reyes ‘25 My friends and I are often antsy to get off campus. Even though there’s usually a lot going on at Pomona (plays, orchestra performances, lectures, etc.), Southern California has many places to visit and things to do. Recently, my friends and I drove to the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood to watch one of my favorite artists in concert, Tkay Maidza! While...

Top Three Things About Pomona

Posted on April 18, 2022September 21, 2022 by Porter Reyes

By Porter Reyes ‘25 If you’re a student facing the college decision process right now, chances are you’re being inundated with information about various schools. Not only that, but each college is probably providing you with numerous reasons why their college is the best. Speaking from personal experience, this can be intimidating. You might be asking yourself: which college...

An L.A. Adventure

Posted on April 7, 2022September 21, 2022 by Emma Grace Howlett

By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 Last weekend, I found myself on an uncharacteristically spontaneous expedition to Los Angeles with my friends. Our day began with an hour-long train ride to LA’s Union Station, a grand, commanding building with arched, painted ceilings. The yellow ochre walls glowed golden, afternoon light streaming in through a wall of high glass windows. After tak...

Reflections on “The American Road Trip”

Posted on March 14, 2022September 21, 2022 by Porter Reyes

Route 66 graphic with mountain background

By Porter Reyes ‘25 At Pomona, every first-year student takes one of around 30 unique Critical Inquiry seminars to hone their writing skills. My Critical Inquiry seminar, The American Road Trip, was transformative for me as a writer and a thinker. Taught by Professor of Politics, and Coordinator of the Pomona Public Policy Analysis program, Susan McWilliams, the class was on...

Three Seasons at Once

Posted on March 4, 2022September 21, 2022 by Emma Grace Howlett

By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 One of my earliest memories as a child is of walking through a magenta archway of blooming foxgloves. Leaning my head back to look up at the tall ethereal flowers swaying in the gentle breeze, I dared to stick my finger into one of the conical flowers. Today, I still like to investigate the abundance of flora around me. For as long as I can remem...

Why a Liberal Arts Education Is Like a Thali

Posted on January 6, 2022September 21, 2022 by Vidusshi Hingad

By Vidusshi Hingad '25 A liberal arts education is like a thali. I promise you this analogy makes sense—just stick with me! Just like the thali is a large plate in which a plethora of dishes are served, a liberal arts education is like tasting different flavors of areas of knowledge which eventually develop your taste buds to their maximum potential. [At Pomona] you are requ...