Community Bridges Hosts their Annual 2023 College Send Off
BY KHAYLA ROBINSON
On August 10, Community Bridges held their annual College Send Off event for their Class of 2023 seniors from 6-8 pm at White Oak Library. Jane De Angeli, CB’s College Access and Success Advisor, expressed that the event was created to provide incoming freshmen with the knowledge and support system needed when transitioning into a new chapter of life.
“The goals are, first, to recognize and celebrate our graduates as they head to college, and two, to give them some guidance to set them up for success when they set foot on campus. It’s important for the CB alum to not just get to college, but to succeed in college and get through college,” De Angeli wrote.
The event started with introductions from everyone present, followed by a pre-college quiz. The quiz included questions like “If you need assistance on what clubs and organizations are on campus, where should you go?” or “If you have questions about your financial aid, what office would you visit on campus?” to help familiarize the girls with on campus resources.
To personalize the event, CB invited nine of their Class of 2022 alum to serve as panelists: Naana Asamoah, Ayana Brooks, Jane Fances Chia, Ada Kante, Kayla Moulton, Abigail Ofous, Christy Ramos, Jamilehy Ramos, and Adiratou Sy, together representing Cornell University, Morgan State University, Towson University, Trinity Washington University, UMBC, and UMD College Park. As the incoming freshmen reviewed their answers together, the alum would chime in with additional insight for the seniors. This allowed the girls to feel more prepared to navigate college while considering what to be mindful of prior to their arrival.
Afroza Aktar, an incoming freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, joined CB a few years ago because her cousin, a CB alum, mentioned the club helped her on her journey. Moving forward, Aktar shared that on the academic side, CB has taught her to keep in touch with her professors. It has also shown her how to use her voice.
“In the future, if there is something bothering me or I want to share [my thoughts], I will no longer keep it inside me and [instead] speak it out,” Aktar wrote.
While at University of Maryland, Aktar plans to major in Biology with a minor in Arabic. She is most looking forward to meeting new people and “[getting] to know about the world more.”
Rohama Mulugeta, an incoming freshman at Loyola University Maryland, joined CB because her friend was already in the club and expressed that it was helpful for her. Moving forward, Mulugeta plans to keep a few CB tips in mind while navigating her college journey.
“I learned to always check my email, how to ask for help and how to be able to help others with the knowledge I have,” Mulugeta wrote. “And the most important thing I learned is not to wait till the end to do your stuff.”
Mulugeta plans to major in Computer Science while at Loyola Maryland University, sharing that she’s looking forward to finding support similar to CB’s.
At the end of the event, CB celebrated the girls’ success with pizza and cake. Care packages were also given to the seniors that consisted of shower caddy stuffed with loofahs, towels, gels, supplies and shower shoes to take with them to college. Commuting students received a shirt with their college insignia as their send off gift.
Tanishia Lorna Vainqueur, an incoming freshman at Trinity Washington University, hopes to use the knowledge from CB while in college to achieve her dreams of becoming a nurse.
“I want to be a good Nurse to my patients and become successful for myself and family, especially for my mom,” Vainqueur wrote. “I believe in myself and I will never give up even in my hard times.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2023 as they embark on a new journey! Community Bridges is so proud of you all!
Khayla Robinson is a rising junior and a Park Scholar in Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications, as well as a Community Bridges alumna.