A Day in the Life

students at Pendleton pool
By Porter Reyes '25 On a sunny Friday afternoon, my friends Rebecca, Ruthie, and I wanted to unwind without going too far off campus. Laying in the sun is one of our go-to de-stressors, so we decided to head over to Pendleton Pool. While Haldeman–Pomona’s 50-meter by 25-yard outdoor Olympic-sized pool–is also nice, we settled on the smaller Pendleton because it is the closes...
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Visit Joshua Tree Now

Bilal in front of Joshua Tree with explanatory sign
By Bilal Adamjee ‘24 “Dude, this place looks like a scene from Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner” and “Bro, those rocks look like my MacBook wallpaper” were the first comments my friends blurted out when we finally arrived at Joshua Tree National Park. Oh, to be a Gen Z-er. But seriously, during your time at Pomona College or Claremont in general, make the time to see Jo...
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The Wild National Parks Near Pomona

Emma Grace in a canyon
By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 While life at Pomona College can be invigorating, I still look forward to breaks for a chance to explore off campus and recuperate from excessive studying. I spent both fall and spring breaks this year exploring the two national parks within reasonable driving distance of Pomona: Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Park. Coming from such a lush...
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Do You Love the Beach Like I Do?

Bilal and 2 friends at the beach with Santa Monica Pier in background
By Bilal Adamjee ‘24 I love the beach. When people ask me, ‘What brought you to Pomona College?’ the beach always comes up. The beach does remind me of home – that, and the warm weather and palm trees. It was honestly a big factor in deciding where I wanted to study when I first started my college applications in high school. I was born and raised in Kenya, where I’ve spe...
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Catching a Concert in L.A.

Tkay Maidza in concert
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...
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Top Three Things About Pomona

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...
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An L.A. Adventure

Japanese noodles
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...
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Breaking Out of the Claremont Bubble

Hollywood sign framed by palm trees
By Sonam Rikha ‘24 From snazzy pop songs about the city to Disney channel movies set in the area, a glamorous image of Los Angeles has always been ingrained in my head. So when my friends asked me if I wanted to go to downtown L.A., I responded with childlike joy. Despite the warnings from peers to lower my expectations, I couldn’t erase the delicate images and stories of L....
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My Favorite Spots in the Claremont Village

cookie and Some Crust bag
By Chloe Mandel ’23 Working for Pomona’s admissions office last summer, one of the questions I received frequently from prospective students is what the city of Claremont has to offer. While Pomona’s suburban setting isn’t exactly teeming with the types of cultural attractions and nightlife one would find in a city like L.A., I’ve come to find that the Claremont Village is a...
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It’s the Culture for Me

Spring POP students in shuttle van
By Sonam Rikha ’24 Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of going to Los Angeles and walking down Hollywood Boulevard. When, as a high school senior, I stepped out of the LAX airport, I was greeted by California palm trees and the L.A. heat. Even though Pomona is in Claremont, 35 miles from the glamorized city of Los Angeles, the laid back and sunny environment in Claremo...
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