My senior year, I struggled with deciding whether to stay back home for a relationship I was in or spreading my wings and leaving the nest. With many heartbroken nights, I decided to take the leap of faith and leave the nest for UVA. I was a bit hesitant, because UVA is a Predominately White Institution, and I am a Black Woman. Those worries soon dissipated, when I arrived. I noticed that although the Black and Latino community did not make up more than 10% of the school’s demographics, it only brought everyone closer. We were all a family, which is very much needed when this is your first time away from home. I value those friendships I made, and still to this day I know that I can rely on them for anything I may need. If it were not for UVA, I would not have met my second family.





