Dogs are companions. All they need is love, and their love is loyal and steadfast. A few years ago, I had a dog, named Margie. She was lovable and the most playful dog on the planet. That being said, she had a habit of running away if we kept the door open too long. One night while my mom was chatting with our neighbor, Margie broke free and was unfortunately hit by a car. She passed away that night, and her loss was like a void in my chest. Margie's passing left me inconsolable; the next day at school, I cried because I missed her so much. My classmates thought it was foolish that I was crying over a dog, but I loved Margie as I would a friend. For the next year and a half, I begged my mom to let us get another dog. I had seen a dog adoption event that was being held in Philadelphia on TV multiple times, and it was our perfect chance. One early Saturday morning, after standing in the freezing winter air of Philadelphia for three hours, I adopted my hero, Wonder. I've always loved dogs, but Wonder is special, and has been the most patient, loyal and loving friend I've ever had. My mom and I quickly realized that Wonder had been abused before we adopted him. It took him a few days to use the bathroom and eat, he had a wound on his nose that left a scar, he trembled at any sudden noise, and he always found a dark corner to hide in--leaving us searching the house to find him. Wonder was such a good and intelligent dog, and I struggled to understand how anyone could hurt him. Nevertheless, I learned to be patient with him and make sure he knew he was safe. Wonder is unlike any dog I've ever known. He is the only dog that wouldn't go to the beach to play, but instead prop his paws up, spread out on the blanket, and sunbathe for hours. He is lazy, but he is wise and clever. A few years ago, I fell into a really bad depression. My family was having a rough time, and I was struggling to finish high school while juggling my two jobs. In addition, the pandemic was in full effect, amplifying the stress of everything I was enduring. One constant in the midst of all the ups and downs, was that I could always look forward to seeing Wonder sitting outside my room, waiting for me to come home. Some people refrain from getting a dog because of the responsibility. In my case, the responsibility of taking care of Wonder made everyday a bit better. Just by taking him outside for walks, feeding him, teaching him tricks--just nurturing him and spending time with him, the voices in my head that told me to give up were replaced with ones that said, "Keep going, Wonder needs you." One year for Christmas, I bought Wonder a couch because if there's one thing for certain, Wonder will get his beauty sleep. Everytime he sleeps on that couch, I am reminded of when we first adopted him; how he would hide and wouldn't come out for anything in the world. It signifies how far he's come and how he trusts me. When I was going through a rough time in my life, Wonder returned the same patience and love I had given him all those years ago. Wonder taught me what a true and loyal friend is, and I am so grateful for him.

I attended a predominantly white high school. There were 5 students of color in my class, including myself. There was one faculty member who was a person of color, and today she is my most trusted friend and mentor. She always told me that people of color—especially women—have to “work twice as hard to be half as good”. These words have been my manifestation and driving force in my decision to become the first in my family to attend college. My name is Briarra Barnes and I am a Delaware-born, First-Year English major at the University of Connecticut. I was nurtured in a single-parent home and raised purely on the hard work of not only my mom but my own hard work. At 14, I was at my high school getting my work papers signed so I could upgrade my babysitting gigs to a real job. Although there were many times when I was not able to go out with friends, buy that one prom dress, or attend my final senior dinner because of work, I still would not trade the development and maturity I’ve gained for anything. Deciding to attend college is a colossal step in a good direction, but our society is so out of balance, that underrepresented students such as myself look at costs and immediately say no. I am currently taking a Political Science course at UConn where we delve into the inequalities faced by POC in America and how it becomes integrated into our societies. The lack thereof results in lowering college education rates and even shortened life expectancies. Deciding on higher education and the costs is seen as a given: you choose your best financial offer. In my case, despite all my hard work, even my best financial offers were so far out of reach, that I almost gave up. I chose UConn because it was a chance for me to not only grow academically and professionally but being away from home, I am standing on my own feet and holding my life in my hands. I have a job in the Undergraduate Admissions Office, I live in a Learning Community, joined clubs, and I am doing things that 14-year-old me that worked 9 hours a day would have never imagined. I’ve been networking frequently with UConn Alumni, working closely with advisors in the Global Learning Department about a study abroad in 2023, and I’ve been preparing to take the ParaPro Exam to get my paraprofessional’s license for an internship with the Delaware Autism Program this summer. All of these endeavors were made possible because of my ambition. I’ve built such a strong support system at UConn, and I am just getting started. The opportunities are endless and beginning my college education was the first step of many in building a life better than I could ever imagine. I have no doubt that the fulfillment and growth that college will prove to be far more expedient than its price tag.

“Halac'quow, Ewapaw'gup, Allappah'wee” are the Nanticoke words for “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”. My name is Briarra Barnes and I am a Delaware-born, First-Year English major at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. My family and I are descended from the Nanticoke tribe in lower Delaware. My childhood is abundant with memories of my indigenous culture; every year I would travel to Milford, Delaware for annual Powwows and gatherings with family and friends. These words symbolize the history faced by my ancestors and are a pledge to—despite all transgressions—to remain firm then, now, and forever. My mom and I have faced so much together, but I stand as a testimony; first-generation student in college, working hard through this new chapter of my life with her by my side, and Jesus as the captain of our ship in pursuit of a life better than what we’re living now. My mom had a very tough upbringing. She grew up in a very divided environment and often didn’t even have a place to call home. Her mom (my grandmother) abused substances and was not a part of her childhood, so she was passed around, living with different members of our extended family. She graduated from Wilmington High School and did not attend college; instead, she began working right away at the New Castle County Courthouse for over 30 years. The only time my mom has ever taken off was when I was born or if I was severely sick. There were days when her body ached from working, but I’ve never seen her give up and she always kept pushing forward for me. She was devoted to her job and the people she worked with, who have become family. When I got out of school, I took the city bus to her job so we could go home together. Her coworkers always gave me donuts and treats because they respected her and I was known as “Terra’s Twin”. My mom loved her job and she loved helping people, which was why she worked in the Division of Child Support Services to be a balm for households that were divided, like hers. My faith is foremost in my life and I walk in the footsteps of Jesus by loving my neighbors. All throughout high school, I volunteered mostly at my middle school, Serviam Girls Academy—a Catholic middle school for low-income girls. It was through the ministry of helping to plan Masses, attending events as an Alumni Ambassador, being a Teacher's assistant, cleaning, or just mentoring a student that I felt the fulfillment of being a Christian. This year, I was offered a position on the Graduate Support Committee, a fully volunteered position where I am currently working on a 4-year plan aimed towards providing an enriching developmental program that will prepare our scholars—current students and Alumni— spiritually, academically, and intellectually for their educational and professional careers. From getting my first real job at 14 to now while I’m in college, my mom has always been there for me and has moved mountains to see me succeed—even through being the sole caregiver of our grandmother, who is diagnosed in the final stages of Alzheimer’s. If there is anything she has taught me, it is that God has a plan for us greater than we could ever imagine. Despite it all, my mom has been a model for my character as an adult. I owe my relentlessly hardworking nature to her and I look at all people with the love of Christ. In the eye of the storm, we stood firm then, now, and always. Halac'quow, Ewapaw'gup, Allappah'wee.