Hi! My name is Arianna, and I'm a rising sophomore ('27) from Georgia. On campus, I am involved with the Cheerleading Team, Dartmouth Caribbean Connections, and the Black Underground Theater Association. My aim is to pursue a degree in History (modified with Public Policy) and attend law school. I love reading, listening to music, and meeting new people. Follow along through this blog as I traverse my wonderful experiences!
Given my intrigue in pursuing a major in Government, I adored my Politics and AI class. I had zero background in computer science, yet Professor Breuer cohesively connected politics with principles of algorithms and artificial intelligence in a way that I could understand. We finalized the course by doing a cool research project of our own liking.
I am interested in pursuing a minor in Public Policy, which was my reason for taking this class initially. As the term progressed, I was able to learn most of the introductory principles of Public Policy and the framework for policymaking in democratic governance. The readings were interesting, and the discussion-based lectures kept me engaged.
Wow...what an amazing class! This has been one of my favorite classes that I have taken the entire year. Professor Chaney encouraged us to expand our writing through a multitude of methods of analysis, allowing students to look beyond the details of a photograph. Our ideas were not discouraged or disproved, leaving room for proper evaluative learning and prompting discussions about interesting moments in black art history.
As I reflect on my first year, I reminisce on the people, places, and things that made the most of my Dartmouth experience!
1. Picnics on the Green and Pine Park
The central part of campus is known as the Dartmouth Green ("the Green"), a grassy pathway that commuters walk across to get to the dining halls, the Main Street in the town of Hanover, and Baker-Berry Library. In the fall, orange trees tower over the benches that adorn the corner of the Green, and many people enjoy a pumpkin latte or play spike ball with their friends. In the winter, the cold deters many people from laying on the Green, brave students spending time making snow angels or partaking in our annual snowball fight. During the spring, afternoons after class are commonly spent playing volleyball or having picnics on the Green with friends for lunch. One of my highlights of my Freshman year is having picnics with my friends. We would buy fresh fruit from the Co-op Food Store and cheese and crackers that Collis Market (a mini "convenience" store in the lower level of Collis) provided. To buy snacks for your picnic, the Hop has an amalgamation of options you can choose from, opening the opportunity to use your dining dollars. During my first picnic of spring term, a few of my friends and I found a shady spot near a bench on the Green and sat on a blanket. During my last picnic of spring term before the year commenced, I went to Pine Park and indulged in a multitude of sweet treats and fruit from a casual picnic that was held with another group of my friends.
The charcuterie board my friends and I created while we had a lunch picnic on the Green!
2. Football and Basketball Games
As a Dartmouth cheerleader, football and basketball are the main sports we cheer for during the fall (football season) and winter (basketball season). The strong sense of camaraderie that cheering develops is one of its most satisfying qualities. The squad fosters a special and encouraging environment because it is an open and diverse organization that accepts tryouts from all genders. I've made some of my closest friends in college through cheerleading. On mutual support, trust, and shared experiences—both on and off the field—these partnerships have been established. Considering it is an inclusive club sport (in opposition to a Division 1 team recruitment), everyone is encouraged to try out in the fall, regardless of skill level! Cheer has taught me discipline and balance, as I incorporate practices and games into my daily routine amid my academics, social life, and fitness regime. Every game is a chance to encourage our athletes' hard work, as well as to delight and energize the fans.
During basketball season, the cheerleading team has the opportunity to perform a half-time routine that includes dancing, tumbling and stunting!
3. Shabazz Dinners
The Shabazz Center for Intellectual Inquiry is a Living Learning Community (LLC). The mission of this LLC seeks to improve the experience of learning outside the classroom by integrating modern learning into student housing, with a focus on experiences with students of African descent. Every Sunday, community dinners are held, and individual members of the residential community volunteer to cook for the rest of the residents. Although I am not a member of the LLC, I am close friends with most of the residents, entering a welcoming space where I am invited to the community dinner and congregate in a weekly communion. Living Learning Communities are identity-based, and others include the Asian American LLC, the Latin American, Latino & Caribbean house, the Native American house, and the Triangle house (the LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive community).
During Shabazz dinners, many different types of food are cooked. In this image, a blend between Caribbean food and soul food was created.
4. Exploring the Hood Museum of Art
Tucked away in the center of Dartmouth College, the Hood Museum of Art is a hidden treasure that provides a special fusion of creativity, history, and culture. A trip to the Hood Museum is worthwhile! As a student at Dartmouth, I appreciate how the Hood Museum integrates with our academic life. The museum offers numerous resources for research and learning, making it a valuable asset for students from all disciplines. The exhibitions often complement our coursework, as I was required to view the African American history display for my "Picturing Black History" Seminar with Professor Chaney. Not to mention the Courtyard Café ("the Hop") that features a grill station, a salad bar, a multitude of snacks, and more. More than merely a museum, the Hood Museum of Art is a lively part of Hanover.
My friends and I love looking through the museum's gallery.
5. Listening to Live Music and Student Bands
Dartmouth features a multitude of live entertainment each term. During the fall, we have a concert called Fallapalooza that usually features a trendy music artist. During winter carnival, many student bands perform their own songs or covers of trendy songs. During the spring, our major concert called Green Key features a student band (the winner of the Battle of the Bands competition), and two big music artists. For my first fall, American singer-songwriter Claire Rosinkranz performed her songs at Fallapalooza. For my first Green Key, Jamaican musician Shaggy and American rapper Young M.A. performed. Green Key occurred during the Friday of week 7 of spring term, beginning around 7 pm. The highlight of my weekend was hearing Shaggy perform his hit song, "It Wasn't Me." His song was a childhood staple and my family's favorite.
A student band, Tightrope, performed great songs on Greek row during Green Key weekend.
In addition to bringing me happiness and relaxation, these times have strengthened my bonds with friends and the larger Dartmouth community. Every encounter has added to the fabric of memories that characterize my time at Dartmouth, making it an incredibly special and rewarding journey.
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As much as I love studying abroad on Dartmouth's Full Immersion in Rome Italian program, I also really miss campus! Here's a look back at some of the places I can't wait to get back to soon.
This past week, I got to participate in a Memory Café hosted by the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth with my club, Dartmouth Forte! What's a Memory Café? Read to find out!
At Dartmouth, housing communities are a pivotal part of the campus experience and grant students a sense of belonging. As an East Wheelock advocate, I share a brief overview of my own dorm.
