When I applied to Penn, I had it ranked sixth out of seventh on my QuestBridge match list. I knew nothing about the East Coast, let alone Philadelphia or life at Penn. But looking back, I can’t think of any other school that would have been a better fit for me. The Daily Pennsylvanian was the very first extracurricular I joined, and the one I stayed in the longest. All four years, all eight of my semesters have been spent with the DP.
From covering topics like Liz Magill’s resignation — which I found out about on a family vacation and speed-wrote in an Airbnb — to spotlighting some of my amazing classmates, writing for the Opinion section has tested me. All of my columns touched on aspects of my identity or values I hold close. Whether it was covering campus politics or detailing my own experience with sorority rush, my goal was always to share my authentic story and, hopefully, inspire others to share theirs.
Due to the personal nature of some of my columns, people often asked me if I was scared to write any of them. I don’t think they scared me; they invigorated me. As someone who came into college with no writing experience outside of poetry and journaling, I got a chance to craft my passion and explore my own identity in a very public way.
I was no stranger to publicly voicing my opinion; my high school background was in organizing. As a former March For Our Lives state director, my entire job was to organize people and show up in support of our initiatives. Many late nights drafting school board statements, making posters, and rallying people along a common cause prepared me for being a columnist.
The excitement to write is something I hope I never lose. I feel very grateful to know what I stand for on a variety of issues. And in general, I feel like Penn needs more outwardly opinionated people. I can say for a fact that sharing my voice has opened opportunities to me and is something I will continue to be an advocate for throughout my life.
Through my involvement with the Civic Scholars program, I learned about what the Philadelphia experience is like for those in my community, and had ample opportunities to break out of the Penn bubble. Campus Curlz taught me new ways to do my hair and brought me some of my closest friends. I even joined the dance and community service group City Step, and if you know me, you know I cannot dance — but trying new things is an integral part of college.
These interconnected and uplifting communities have inspired me to start my postgraduate life with the Peace Corps. In a place where we are encouraged to pursue the professional, I am chasing the personal. Cultural exchange and the ability to hear the lived experiences of others are why I love the Opinion department, and why I want to embark on this as my next journey.
Thank you to those who helped me grow through my writing. My editors, all of whom had very different approaches that taught me new ways to look at writing; the people I interviewed about their experiences who so graciously shared their stories with me; my wonderful friends who, even in disagreement, respect my opinions; and even the many people from whom I have received hate emails. I’m graduating with my head held high, and to the probable dismay of some of the hate commenters I’ve encountered: Yes, I could do it. No, I’m not, and never have been, stupid. And I belonged at Penn.
My “Vision” for this campus is clear: leave Penn a better place than you found it. Speak up for what you believe and stay true to your identity, but not in the absence of growth. Learn not just from your classes but also from your neighbors, both the Penn students and the West Philadelphia residents. Take long walks on the Schuylkill River, go to Dollar Taco at Loco Pez, and hit up Copabanana happy hour with your friends. And through it all, trust in yourself and your foundations. Your opinion matters, so please share it.
MIA VESELY is a College senior studying philosophy, politics, and economics from Phoenix, Ariz. She has been a columnist at The Daily Pennsylvanian for four years. Her email is mvesely@sas.upenn.edu.
