Hi! My name is Arianna, and I'm a sophomore ('27) from Georgia. On campus, I am involved with the Cheerleading Team, Dartmouth Caribbean Connections, the First-Gen Office, and the Black Underground Theater Association. My aim is to pursue a degree in History modified with Public Policy and a minor in Psychology ("pre-law"). 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.
SummerWoodstock, GA
I spent this summer at home, but I stayed busy through continuing to blog for the Admissions Office, working a part-time restaurant job, and completing a Market Research and Consulting Internship with a women's health care nonprofit organization, HappySneeze.
This class is a gem for those interested in learning more about the development of the healthcare system from the pre-colonial period into its contemporary form. Initially, I took this class because I am interested in becoming a healthcare lawyer and wanted to explore the foundation of one of the biggest systems in America. While the content is still fairly fresh, and it is the beginning of the term, I already know that this will be one of my favorite classes this fall! Despite the vast influx of information that we go over each class, Professor Koop writes all the topics we will discuss that day on the board sequentially. Not only does this keep me engaged and willing to participate, but it also encourages me to stay organized and on track!
Constructing a play in 6 weeks may seem like an incredulous task, but one of my good friends challenged that idea when she revamped the Black Underground Theater Association (BUTA). Ajayda Griffith '27 and Mahi Tessema '27, co-presidents of BUTA, directed the play that Ajayda wrote about her senior year in high school. After Ajayda constructed the script for the play, she rounded up a few people from mutual friend groups to act, and created a comedic masterpiece!
Ajayda Griffith '27, the co-director, co-president, and writer of the play "Senior Year," hosted by the Black Underground Theater Association.
At first, the entire cast and the directors would read through the play to familiarize ourselves with the lines. We would practice in the mural room of Shabazz, Ajayda's Living Learning Community, trying not to bump into the furniture. As the weeks flew by, we upgraded to the real deal: the theater behind the Hood Museum of Art, on Currier Place. Backstage was like a whole other world, Three separate segments of curtains to shield the cast when shifting places.
The main cast of "Senior Year" in the play's visuals.
Surprisingly, most of us had never acted before. I've had my moments of theater in elementary school, but stepping onto that stage was a different ball game. While I struggled to properly remember my lines and remember what side of the stage I would enter, I eventually settled into my character's shoes.
Then, showtime came. The second and last day of our play was my favorite, the seats of the theater being filled to the max with students. The audience's energies were electric, laughing at every banter and joke in the play. Two representatives from the theater department watched our play as well, showcasing their approval.
A sensation of success filled the air as the last curtain fell and the hallowed halls of the theater echoed with applause. In just six weeks, BUTA had not only overcome scheduling restrictions, but also created a comedy masterpiece that had an impact on audiences much beyond Dartmouth. We also knew that the spirit of BUTA would go on, stoking the sparks of creativity and friendship for future generations of students.
If you have an intrigue for acting but have no knowledge of it, joining your friend's play may be just for you. There are acting classes you can take to fulfill your art distributive requirement, as well. Other theater organizations on campus, such as The Displaced Theater Company, have opportunities for participation. At Dartmouth, opportunities are endless where passion is concerned!
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
