Enjoyment > Perfection

Hayeon and friend in the makerspace
By Hayeon Lee '23 The extent of my drawing is sketching nice Kirbys or Pokemon; if you told me to draw a hand, I would most gladly produce a stick figure drawing. However, one of my New Year's resolutions this year is to treat myself with kindness and patience. In my journey of healing my inner child, I find myself naturally returning to my hobby of arts and crafts. Whether ...
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Combatting an Erasure of My Identity: Feeling Unforeign in Oldenborg

Vids in long skirt against glittery backdrop
By Vids Hingad ‘25 A ticket from Terminal 2, Chattrapatti Shivaji Terminal in Mumbai to LAX. A 26-hour journey. Four oceans in the middle. Before boarding the flight from Mumbai to LAX, my dadi (grandma) always used to put a teeka on my forehead. This red dot symbolized that, no matter where I am, she would protect me and guide me. Guilty of wondering what strangers would...
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Four Unexpected Joys of Going to a Liberal Arts College

flag of Taiwan on a table with sign advising not to speak English
By Serena Lin ’25 If you're a high school senior trying to decide which college to attend, you've probably heard the conventional Pomona sales pitch: small class sizes, “liberal arts experience,” being in the Claremont consortium, and good weather. But what does that actually mean? Here are four unexpected benefits of going to Pomona College. 1) Exploring One...
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A Letter to Hayeon

Hayeon looking rueful at her laptop
By Hayeon Lee ‘23 Recently, as a senior at Pomona College, there have been moments when I pause and recognize that my college adventures are already and slowly coming to an end. Whether it be my walks between classes, a warm dinner together with friends at the Hoch, or a discussion of post-grad plans with professors, I realize that 18-year-old Hayeon, who walked onto the Pomon...
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Senior Thoughts: Upon Fourther Reflection

two students doing handstands outside
By Oluyemisi Bolonduro ’23 Salutations! It’s been two years since I’ve written a Voices blog post, but it’s good to be back. A lot has changed since my fun lil’ celebration of finals week, whether it’s academically, developmentally, interpersonally… even extracurricularly, if that’s a word. One thing that’s the same: I still love the number four and using it to frame each co...
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Claremont FC: Building Community Through 5C’s Club Soccer

Emma Grace and a teammate smiling
By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 There is perhaps no greater view on campus of the San Gabriel Mountains than from Pomona’s turf soccer field. During late spring nights, the snow-dusted mountains glow a dusky pink as the colorful sunset arches rosily across the sky. It is in this scenic setting that the 5Cs women’s club soccer team practices twice a week. Composed of students from ...
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Rediscovering the Joy of Music

hand holding heart object with words about creativity and joy
By Serena Lin ‘25 "You cannot count the beats. You must simply feel the music." As someone who is very numbers-based and methodical, this was quite a challenge. There was something stressful about not being able to protocol-ize a music note. As I stumbled through the first semester of my beginner's clarinet lessons, I originally expected just to "get through it" for th...
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All of Campus is a Classroom

Great horned owl in tree
By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 Whether they overlook the Quad, lay nestled beneath an Oak tree, or hug the side of the stately Carnegie Building, outdoor classrooms offer a beautiful, natural environment in which to learn. As a precautionary measure against Covid last year, Pomona has set up various outdoor classrooms around campus. Learning outside the traditional classroom shif...
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Midnight Walks Around The 5Cs

Young Seo and 3 friends on steps
By Young Seo Kim ‘26 You’re one of the 50 Pomona College first-year students who came early to campus. It’s nighttime, and you’re bored. The Village is closed and you and your friends don’t own a car to travel outside of Claremont. What’s a better idea than going out at night and walking around campus with your friends? It was my third night in Claremont. After going thro...
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Approaching Normalcy

icon for 5C friend is chicken with antlers
By Porter Reyes ‘25 Being a first-year at Pomona last year was weird. We were getting close to “normal,” but the pandemic’s effect on the first-year experience was tangible. This year, however, things are different for the new first-year class and the entire student body as Pomona approaches normalcy. Staples of life at Pomona, such as Orientation Adventure, cross-campus...
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