Class of 2018

Spring is on its way! It’s hard to believe that one year ago we were enjoying our final term at Dartmouth. Though it’s been a while since we were on campus, I enjoyed reading the memories and stories you submitted. Here are some highlights from your notes.

As a New Hampshire native, I’ve always loved a good snowy winter. After this year’s Winter Carnival, I wanted to learn about your favorite winter memories at Dartmouth.

Madeline Miller wrote, “My freshman year I had a friend who built a toboggan in the wood shop. It was a good winter for snow, so we took a group of people to the golf course to see how many of us could fit on the sled at once!”

Jessie Colin wrote, “Freshman year I felt that Hanover winter was so cold compared to the California temps I was used to, so naturally I decided to do a weekend mountaineering course up Mount Washington with the DOC to shift my frame of reference. Ninety-mile-an-hour winds, minus-40-degree temperatures, and a full heart were the summit conditions. My plan worked. Coming back on campus, low 20s didn’t feel so cold anymore and, despite the fact I had the beginnings of frostbite on my face, I couldn’t believe that this school in the icy, isolated woods could feel so much like home.”

Inspired by Valentine’s Day, I asked, “Did you ever send a Flitz while at Dartmouth?”

Jessie Colin wrote, “I developed a habit of sending Flitzes to new friends I thought were cool. As a freshman, I didn’t quite understand that you weren’t supposed to write, ‘This is a Flitz’ in the subject line of every single one.”

Finally, Ashley Zepeda wrote a heartfelt message to share with the class. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did. Ashley wrote, “Adjusting to life post-Dartmouth has been an adventure in and of itself. I guess you don’t realize the bubble you’re in until you finally leave it. Now that 2018 has come to a close I’ve found myself reminiscing quite a bit about my years at Dartmouth and how the relationships and experiences I fostered there impacted me. Moving to Mexico and living there for six months post-grad was a humbling experience that gave me incredibly valuable perspective. The class of 2018 is arguably in an extremely formative period of our lives right now, experiencing our first real exposure to the ‘real world’ in a particular time and setting brimming with political and environmental turmoil. It’ll be up to us and our generation to shape the world as we know it in the coming future.

“The biggest lesson I have learned since graduation is never to let age or circumstance distract you from your passions and purpose. Yes, Dartmouth helped prepare us with degrees and perhaps good jobs and stability, a network of close friends, and great memories, but I have found it even more enlightening to remember what got me into Dartmouth in the first place, before all the hustle and bustle and real-life expectations took a grip on me. As we navigate our new lives, perhaps in new cities and countries, and continue to grow as adults on this changing planet, remember to keep your curiosity alive and seek knowledge and truth in all of your endeavors. Never doubt your brilliance and creativity, because Dartmouth saw it and fostered it, and the world will come to need it someday. I miss you all immensely!”

Thanks to everyone who submitted their funny, heartfelt, and touching stories! Don’t be a stranger!

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