Class of 2018

Hey, ’18s! This issue, I asked you to share your favorite summer memories and did my best to include them all!

Fiona Bowen has always loved biking in the summer, saying, “There’s nothing like it!” She recently moved into a new apartment.

Rocco Di Leo shared, “One of my favorite memories from Sophomore Summer was a BBQ cookout on the Fourth of July, mixed with a few games of pong that ultimately led to a group of guys going down to spend the day at the river.” Currently, Rocco is a student at Durham University Business School with Jack Anderson and Kyran McKinney-Crudden. They are enjoying playing and teaching American football to the students. They will be in Europe throughout most of the summer. You can follow their Instagram at @passports_n_jansports.

Deana Chou remembered, “A group of us had gone to see the sunset. After dark, the area lit up with fireflies, and Mikiko Takato’s face lit up seeing them for the first time. I also loved late nights baking with Josue Guerrero and the Tanabata decorations and film I made with Mikiko and Ashley Kekona. It really felt like Camp Dartmouth!”

Gricelda Ramos interned with the U.S. State Department Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs in 2019. She wrote, “This experience allowed me to engage with leaders, see foreign policy designed and enacted on a first-hand basis, and help with many events happening at the State Department.” Gricelda received a certificate of appreciation for her performance. She has also joined a band and will be performing at the Cherry Blossom Ball at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. This fall she will be starting with the Foreign Service.

Jessie Colin provided a touching memoir on her summer memories with Chris Vale: “No one was a better adventure partner that summer than Chris Vale. He’d text me as the light was getting that afternoon glow to go on a ‘run,’ which was equal parts bushwhacking, obstacle course, and running. I remember sprinting down the train tracks with Chris feeling incredibly alive, full of adrenaline, thinking anything felt possible. It was a summer of his encouragement on the rock, laughing while aqua-jogging in the river, and feeling like a part of something inexplicably bigger, surrounded by friends. Summer with Chris was summer on the edge, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Maya Moten wrote, “Life is going great in Dallas! I’ve recently switched roles in my company to join the communications team. Since then I’ve run a few social media campaigns for International Women’s Day and during the holiday season. I’m also taking the lead on planning the launch of our company website.”

Johnny Sanchez has been an active part of the “No Coal No Gas” campaign since September 2019, working to close the Merrimack Generating Station in Bow, New Hampshire, which is one of the last coal-fired power plants in New England. The campaign has organized several marches and successful blockades of coal trains in which Johnny has personally taken part. The campaign will continue until there is a closing date issued for the plant.

In February Northern Stage staged the world premiere of Citrus, a choreopoem written by Celeste Jennings. The press release reads, “With music, dance, and spoken-word poetry…Citrus intricately weaves together stories of black women throughout American history to create a portrait of resilience and humanity.” Along with writing the choreopoem, Celeste also designed its costumes.

As always, thanks to everyone who shared stories and updates for this column. I look forward to staying in touch in the next column!

—Emily Choate, 172 Commonwealth Ave., Apt. 3, Boston, MA 02116; (603) 305-5346; eschoate@gmail.com