We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Pearl Pugh

One of the most important lessons I ever learned in school had nothing to do with textbooks or exams, it was about identity, independence, and resilience. And I learned it not in a classroom, but in the quiet moments of loneliness and longing, far away from the people and places that shaped me. Read More>>

Alvin Kim

When I was in college studying Computer Science at Texas Tech, I developed a deep interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. I got involved with the university’s startup bootcamp, which sparked a journey through various entrepreneurial programs and competitions, including a startup accelerator where I placed second out of 26 participants, many of whom were more advanced in their academic careers. Read More>>

Ariana Luterman

I learned one of my most important lessons in school when I wasn’t in a classroom at all.

It was my senior year of college. I was supposed to be thriving—on paper, I was. I had incredible opportunities left and right, leadership roles, good grades, and big post-grad plans. But behind the scenes, two of the most important people in my life passed away—back to back. And suddenly, none of it felt like enough. Read More>>

Alejandro Rodriguez

I started my career as a performer, and trained at The Juilliard School in New York City. While I was there, I made friends with a small group of other young artists (dancers, singers, musicians) who shared a sense that what we were learning in our classrooms — essentially, the skills of meaningful communication — was valuable to a much broader population than just the people who could afford tickets to plays, concerts and recitals on the Upper West Side. Read More>>