A Note of Gratitude

In less than twenty four hours, my family will be here for graduation. We will be reunited this weekend as we celebrate my graduation. I wanted everyone to know that this is my second to last post. My final post will be after graduation when I post photos from the ceremony.

In my four years here, I have accomplished everything I wanted and then more. I came to Trinity without knowing anyone. Four years later, I have formed relationships with people from across the country and world. I only found Hartford on the map once I was matched. I have been challenged in different ways. I am graduating college with a deeper understanding of who I am and what I wish to be. Lastly, I have been given opportunities to be here today and to be receiving this degree. This semester was a difficult one because I had a medical problem; we lost a member of our extended family; I got waitlisted or rejected from the graduate degree programs I applied to; and I was trying to graduate in good standing. Despite all these challenges, I want to say that I made it here and I am proud to represent those who helped me get there. Next year, I will be doing a fellowship in NYC through the Urban Fellows Program.

As we say, it takes a village to raise a child. Here are my words of thanks:

• For my family, I can’t wait to see and introduce you to Hartford. Thank you for your sacrifices.
• For the Denkey family, thank you for teaching me about West Africa.
• For my friends at KOG, thank you for your constant support, words of wisdom and otherwise checking up on me to make sure I am ok.
• For my friends at Emanuel Lutheran Church, it’s been a pleasure worshipping with you these four years and I am thankful for your help in getting my family here for graduation.
• For the staff and faculty at Trinity, thank you for providing me the opportunities to learn and grow as a person. I am thankful for my theses advisor and for their guidance.
• For Chaplain Read and the Chapel Community, I am grateful for the wonderful discussions and for taking care of me when I needed it most.
• For my friends in the US and everywhere else, it was my pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you again at another time.
• For the staff and faculty at CIEE, my host family in Dakar and Linguère, and those at my internship in Yeumbeul, thank you for showing me Senegal and allowing me to appreciate what it offers.
• For everyone else who I didn’t mention by name but was involved in getting me here today, thank you!

 Photo: A baobab tree in Senegal