Iesha Fitzgerald

I believe that life is a series of lessons in which we are taught to become more compassionate and caring. We are all deserving of a chance to succeed but not all of us have the resources around us to do so. When people are given a chance to do something for themselves and become the person they want to be, they take it. I want to be able to provide the youth of the Bahamas with inspiration, tools, and the education needed to succeed.

I realize now that my biggest accomplishments have been those that benefit environments I am soon to leave behind. For example, with the Afro- Caribbean dance, I knew I would only get to participate in this annual event once in my life time as a student at Brewster. Yet, that did not stop me from wanting better for those I leave behind. Helping people reach their true potential and supporting them into feeling comfortable in the places they are in is all I can ask for when I think of what makes an accomplishment.

Going to Brewster was a big change for me. Coming from a predominantly black, small community in The Bahamas, I did not expect how much of an impact moving to a predominantly white campus in the middle of New England would have on me. I very quickly realized the drastic change as I became the only black girl in my grade for all four years of high school. In junior year, just as I had lost hope, two black girls came into the freshman class whom I quickly took under my wing. I knew the hardships that came with being a black girl at Brewster and remember the prayers I whispered at night to have someone that got it. I wanted to be that for them. They gave me the motivation to make a space at Brewster where black students could connect with other black students within the lakes region and build something. It started as a POC club which had weekly meetings as a school group, and monthly meetings as a lakes region community. With their support, I advocated to the principal about having a Afro- Caribbean dance which would become an annual event. I am very proud of myself and my club for making a change in our community.