Goodbye Letter to New Paltz

Dear SUNY New Paltz,

My life would be so different without you as a home. I still cannot believe the day to graduate has come. 4 years seems like such a long time until you’re living through the minutes that make up the moments. And truly, in a blink of an eye, that moment you’ve been waiting for has come. And like a photograph, the moment is captured instantly, paused in real-time for nanoseconds, and then, transcended and transformed into something of the past.

As I write this, I am no longer a student at SUNY New Paltz. I am officially an alumna of the place I will forever call my home without questions or doubts. I chose this school as much as it chose me. This experience away from my family home in the Bronx was a gift from God.

As an 18-year-old, I remembered knowing that after visiting SUNY New Paltz, I wanted to attend. But I didn’t want to commit to this school without keeping my options open — just in case. So I continued visiting places I got accepted to with my family. I applied to 16 colleges on Thanksgiving day in Florida back in 2014, but SUNY New Paltz won my heart.

I continued to think about New Paltz, and in April of 2015, I just had to visit again. There was a free trip by bus via the Scholar’s Mentorship Program (SMP) at New Paltz, and I asked my mom to come with me. We loved every minute of the tour on Accepted Students Day. And by 2019, New Paltz had warmed my entire soul for the better.

I wanted to come here for so many reasons. And I stayed here for 4 years for many of those same reasons. The other reasons were beautiful bonuses that no amount of money could ever buy.

SUNY New Paltz, you’ve kept me here because of your journalism program. I thought I knew how to write before. And while I did write well and with purpose, I became a better writer as a professional journalist here. The professors taught what they were passionate about. Advisors genuinely cared about my mental and physical health first, and then my success as a student. They ensured I didn’t miss an opportunity and fed off my curiosity. I learned a lot and loved what I learned and produced material that moved me and moved others in different ways every year as a result.

Professor Somerstein, my amazing advisor, who I think the world of, too, thank you. Professor Lisa, who I am so grateful to have crossed paths with and work with as  a reporter and as an editor, as a teacher and as a student, during my capstone seminar project, “Reclaiming Spanish,” thank you. Professor Heiz, who pushed me to reach for the stars, including T. Howard, MSNBC in NYC, and the D.A.S.H. Lab (Digital Arts, Sciences, and Humanities) media internship in the school’s Sojourner Truth Library, thank you. And Professor Gormley, you were the first professor to help me get published. Thank you. Special thanks to Mark from the Career Resource Center, for helping Joseph and I optimize our experiences on paper and in interviews, so we could  be in a better position to land full-time work.

SUNY New Paltz, you’re my home away from home— close enough to the city, but far enough away to gain a new kind of independence. The distance from my home made the ride up for my family of 5 and my grandma Maribel manageable. And the visits were always enjoyable. Thank you to this support system. I couldn’t do this without you all.  Being upstate also allowed my friends and cousins from back home the opportunity to experience a glimpse of the life I was living. Noeli, Carla, Nikki, Jackie, Tristan, Jeremiah, Elba, Titi (Aunt) Cheryl, Kerm, and Jamie, thank you for seeing what I saw, spending time with me, and sharing these life moments with me.

SUNY New Paltz, you were accessible and affordable for my family and I. Because of my father’s hard work and incredible job benefits at Cornell Medical College, I was awarded the Children’s Tuition Scholarship. This paid for my tuition in full every semester. There were also opportunities to find jobs such as Work Study and Student Assistant, and I was able to cherish both opportunities for some pocket money as an Office Assistant for  Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and as a Student Activities Manager (SAM) for the heart of campus: The Student Union Building (SUB) with the stunning triangular atrium.  I met SAM Angelique and SAM Cat here. I’ll truly miss SAM Zyriah, but am so excited for her continued leadership here. And Gladis. I remember you walked up to me in the hallway while I was doing rounds to congratulate me on my T. Howard internship with MSNBC. All strangers who became friends: forever grateful for each of you. Special thanks to SAMs like Jeanette, Marissa, Scott, and Josh for making me a better SAM when it was my turn to take over. Thank you. Last but not least, being a SAM allowed me to gain free housing— my dorm in Ridgeview Hall, the last (and newest) residence hall on campus for 2 whole years.

Because of the dorming experience, I had the privilege of meeting my first and only roommate, Haley, my freshman year. Although she had no idea how to pronounce my name at first (just at the site of our door tag), that didn’t deter our relationship as roommates, and soon after, as friends. And studying abroad together in Madrid, Spain, without us even knowing at first, made her my forever amiga.

Thanks to Ridgeview being a co-ed dorm, I also had the beautiful opportunity to build an adult life with Joseph, and move in with him for 3 years. With the help of family, and a million TJ MAXX bags carrying our things in and out of this space, we made it work. From having random dance parties to playing the Wii to wine, beer, game, and movie nights to listening to songs by Drake, Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Halsey, and Billie Eilish– we survived presentations, papers, and the stress of being full-time students with leadership positions and part-time jobs. I wouldn’t trade this college dorming experience with you guys for the world.

And while I am in no way debt free, I thank these institutions, my supervisors, Emily, Mike, Sarah, Meredith, and my father for seeing the potential in me to take these opportunities responsibly and run full force with them.

SUNY New Paltz is where I cried my 3rd week in because I missed home. It is where I got engaged to and moved in with my best friend, my soul mate, my one and only true love, and middle school sweetheart, Joseph. With the help of friends like Joseph’s freshman-year roommate Baba, I was moved to tears at the proposal on Valentine’s Day 3 years ago. After a year of hustling to prove to ourselves that we could still be our best selves, my parents accepted all the choices we made with an open mind. Thank you.

It is where I met the best of friends from different places and back home. John and Athira, Joseph and I love you both so much. You are our dearest lifelong college friends. Melisa and Jessica, thank you for maintaining our middle school crew, supporting all of us, and hosting such thoughtful events in your suite. I appreciate you both so much. Shrien and Michelle, you girls and your suitemates hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for thinking of Joseph and I always, making every gathering lit, and every encounter one to remember. I adore you lovely ladies.

SUNY New Paltz, you had a life outside of campus and a whole world abroad to offer. You could catch us all at our favorite restaurants: Pasquales, Bacchus, B-side, Main Bistro, Asian Fusion, and Mexican Kitchen. We saw several movies at the local theatre from Sully to Coco to The Grinch. We cherished Halloween festivities such as the town parade, the treats at The Bakery, and the Zombie Run in a town not too far away. Joseph and I biked the beautiful Wallkill Valley Rail Trail a couple of times, witnessing horses and farms. My friends and I checked out Historic Huguenot Street and the nearby farms for apple cider donuts often. We always loved a stroll at Water Street Market. The snow here was always a sight to see and an experience to walk. And we’ve all had the coolest opportunities to hike up Mohonk Mountain via the Lemon Squeeze, the treacherous labyrinth at our own risk.

Building friendships with international students from Asia at New Paltz pushed me to claim an opportunity to study abroad. Living in Spain was something I had always imagined, but didn’t know could be possible. Going to Thailand in high school sparked my interest in the possibility of living abroad. But New Paltz made it a dream come true.

I saw my international friends’ drive to learn their second language, English, and I wanted to do the same for my second language, Spanish. So thank you, Yuka. I will never forget your first New Year in America with me and my family. We love you. Thank you, Holly. You helped me become a better journalist with your story about the challenges of finding work on campus as an international student. And Professor Yali, I wish you all the best back in China. You were a pleasure to teach and spend time with. Can’t wait to see you all again!

I met these women through the Conversation Partners Program,  became a Spanish minor where professors like Profesora Aldana, Profesora Luz, and Profesora Deyanira fostered and encouraged my bilingual education. By junior year, I did everything I could to go abroad, make a new life for myself, and improve my mother language, the language of my grandparents and ancestors. Thank you to these wonderful professors who I can’t thank enough for getting me closer to my heritage and Spanish language.

I was challenged in Madrid. And I was transformed. I met a family who became my own, and my flatmate who became my sister. We thrived speaking Spanish and tackling life in Madrid together. Forever thankful for you, my Sarita: an American girl on the outside, but a Latina girl with your whole being on the inside. Madrid gave me a newfound love for all that is dear, all that there is to want to share, and all that there is to want to know.

This opportunity connected me with such lovely people associated with the study abroad office back home. I met one of the strongest women I know, Samantha, and a beautiful person inside and out named Tamah, and Esther, the person who helped make my study abroad experience happen financially. Special thanks to all of you.

Just like my Madrid chapter, SUNY New Paltz has been everything at once, too: hurting, loving, healing, wilting, rising, and blooming. It’s been an entire book of adventures that I can call mine.

And NPC-TV: you are a journey in yourself, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. From being a general member to a news reporter to a Secretary, and then Station Manager, I saw how this place and people could guide me, encourage me, and respect me. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

As a freshman in 2015, I was curious about joining the organization and was given a tip by my mentor and Spanish Professor Aldana to meet a remarkable young woman named Jenisse. As a sophomore, I was determined to be an excellent Station Manager thanks to a promotion by Jenisse. I cried tears of joy when she called me to tell me the good news. The big sister I never had, but always wanted, and truly gained, thank you. As a junior, I was heartbroken to part ways for a bit to embark on new journeys in New York City with MSNBC, and then overseas to Madrid, Spain. As a senior, I was so proud to acknowledge this campus station as my first college job doing what I was meant to do. As an alumna, I’d like you to remember me saying this: “I’m Dynahlee Padilla, reporting from SUNY New Paltz, NPC TV.” So grateful for my dearest advisor, boss, mentor, and friend Elkyn who saw my legacy through, and still does. Thank you.

I recognize that I will never get this time back —the exact way it was offered to me in the first place. And that as much as I want to come back to New Paltz, I am not sure when exactly I will be able to. Life takes us forward in mysterious ways, but I know in my heart I’ll be back another time in this very place I call home. It will be different, but it will still be home.

So farewell, New Paltz. I don’t know if I will ever be a student in this way again, but I thank you for opening doors for me as your student.

Forever in debt to you, orange and blue. What an honor to be a part of your history and for you to be a part of mine. Thank you. So much love for you, for your people, for your place, for your education, and for my SUNY New Paltz degree.

We did it: Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Joseph! — Familia Padilla-Savory, Familia Valdivieso, and Familia Vasquez.

We are officially first-generation college students from the Bronx.

Thank you, God.

-Feeling bittersweet and sobbing,

Dynahlee

p.s. Thank you for experiencing all these moments with me through my writing. This is my final blog post for The Word You. It’s been a wonder from founding this site mid-senior year in high school to now as a college graduate. Time to figure out the next chapter in my wonderful and wild life post-graduation. Thank you, forever. See you on another platform, on television, in print, or all 3 one day. Stay Tuned!

The Day Before Graduation

I am the daughter of two young parents who grew up in the Bronx, New York with roots from Puerto Rico. I am thinking about them. And the cap that still needs its finishing touches, the packing that I need to do to move out completely for the last time, how I can’t wait to see my family: my parents, sister, brother, grandma, godmother and her boyfriend tomorrow.

He is the son of immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic who grew up in Washington Heights. I am thinking of Joseph. He spent the past 4 years working hard in and outside the classroom to make make money, get good grades, and find opportunities with little to no financial support from his family. We spent the 4 years doing our absolute best to push forward, to dream together, to experience life, to accomplish all our goals, and to support each other in our own endeavors.

I know how this all happened: hard work, perseverance, accessible resources, and support systems that we were gifted with — that found us, and that loved us.

But I still can’t believe it.

p.s. On Friday, we were awarded as Outstanding Graduates within our respective departments based on in-depth projects we’ve created and grade point averages. We have received an incredible education, a stellar experience and a bachelor’s degree to document it all. The next day, we walked the stage to claim it all. Here’s to the moment before the BIG moment!

More Than a Graduation Cap

red, white and blue rhinestones:

for the island of my grandparents

for the roots that have driven me closer to my home and heritage

for the Spanish language that I adore

for Puerto Rico

red, white and blue:

for what America was when my grandfather from Guyana got here

red and yellow:

for all that Madrid, Spain gave me

for all that I can remember

for how much I loved

for how much I learned

for how much I lived

green:

for my one and only grandpa Tony who misses Guyana everyday in different ways

who always tells me bits and pieces about his home when he can

who left to get away from getting drafted in the war

who is here today

p.s. I finally began decorating my cap on Thursday. It was so special because it happened to be on Senior Toast, an event to cheer on other fellow graduates with a glass of champaign. It was wonderful to see my friends, receive orange roses, and toast to our success as students for the last time. Creating a cap that symbolized the places and people that have helped shape me was the icing on the cake. Cheers to being changed by these people and places and New Paltz forever!

Last Move Out

Packing up in every T.J. Maxx bag possible.

Moving from home to my dorm and back again each year.

Taking a picture behind the trunk of the car with all my tightly-packed stuff.

Grabbing a bite to eat in town after loading up.

Hearing the words “I’m proud,” and instantly tearing up ( a lot).

p.s. Thank you, Dad for always moving me in and out of school since the beginning. Can’t believe this was our last college move out. Next up, Jaden! Good thing you have a good 6 years for that one. I will gladly do the honors of being his chauffeur.

Graduation Cap Ideas

Seek Truth.

Signing off.

Breaking News: I did it!

p.s. I loved all these messages. But I ultimately decided to go with the last one after hours of brainstorming and getting feedback from my mom and sister, and dear friend, Athira. Now let’s see if this works out! I was thinking about it all day Monday and fine-tuning ideas all day Tuesday. Phew! Here’s to the last-minute details! I love embellishments.

One and Only Exam

I took my time as I always do with exams. But this time, I found myself not wanting to turn it in. I wanted to make sure every inch of the exam was reviewed. I didn’t want it to be “over.” Handing in my exam meant being done with undergrad for good. It meant not sitting in the classroom that has fostered so much of my bilingual education. It meant not seeing my Spanish advisor more than twice a week anymore. It meant moving on.

p.s. I did move on eventually. I took my time on Monday, but I did feel prepared. I appreciated the essay questions about what the Native Speakers course taught me. It will be something I bring with me wherever I go: No level or type of Spanish is ungrammatical. Everyone learns and speaks at their own pace. If we, as Latinos, don’t learn about own our individual cultures and heritage, then what will make other people want to care about us? Here’s to the class that I wanted. It became a class that I needed. And I feel so much closure knowing this classroom tied the knot for my academic language-learning. So very fitting.

p.p.s. “It takes a big heart to shape little minds,” and my advisor and professor for the Spanish minor did that for me. Thank you, Profesora Rojas-Sosa!

Mother’s Day Special

Mama Savory-Padilla:

Our superhero.

Our angel.

Our therapist.

Our teacher.

Our life.

Our world.

p.s. We wouldn’t be us without her. Hope all mothers who celebrate had a beautiful day filled with love, peace, and joy.

p.p.s. Also, thinking of these women by Mari Andrew. (Thanks for sharing, Kim!)

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Our Last Full Weekend

Pre-game: Dope music. Strobe lights. Chips. Drinks. Card games.

Photo Shoot: Blue balloons. Grad balloons. Grad props. Grad backdrop.

Bar Crawl: Long lines. ID-check. Convos. Hugs. Dance.

Pizza: Cheese. Bacon Ranch. Pepperoni. Time now: 2:30 a.m.

p.s. After having my last weekend working at the Student Union, I was able to enjoy a night out with friends. The Pre-game and pizza was and always are my favorite part. Here’s to our last full weekend at New Paltz!

 

 

Favorite Things at New Paltz

Meeting all of these wonderful people

and making so many connections

in and outside of the classroom

that will last a lifetime.

Having access

to a stunning view

of the mountains

even from campus,

and hiking the scramble.  

Attending seasonal carnivals, community festivals, wineries, farms, sunflower fields–

all that makes New Paltz, New Paltz.

Enjoying life

outside of campus

with local restaurants, bars, a theatre, a market, and bike trail.

Experiencing new job opportunities,

having impromptu photo shoots on campus,

and hanging out in friends’ dorms

’til dawn.

p.s. Last Friday, I met up with a woman I met through the Study Abroad office who has become such a special friend to me over this past year. She asked me what my favorite moments at New Paltz were, and it was a nice going down memory line. Her name is Tamah, and I will miss her very much. Here’s to going down memory lane!

Distinguished Seniors Award

I never realized how much of a difference I could make by joining the organizations that I did. In fact, the organizations made an even bigger impact on me. As much as I was leading and teaching, I was still a student learning.

My freshman year: I joined the campus television station, and I was incredibly in awe of how a college team could operate to make news packages together. That year, I also became a Conversation Partner, which allowed me to meet lovely international students from all over Asia who wanted to learn and practice their English.

My sophomore year: I stood with television — this time, as Station Manager. Here, I watched as my team listened to me, trusted me, and worked with me to produce news. I was also in the Honors Program at the time, reading books like White Noise and the Bible.

My junior year: I interned at MSNBC in New York City while being a Student Activities Manager, taking care of the Student Union, in New Paltz. A semester later, I worked hard to immerse myself in a new culture abroad in the stunning, Madrid, Spain.

My senior year: I chased my insatiable curiosity and was persistent in my reporting, while maintaining my job as Student Activities Manager, getting another job as an office assistant for work study with my favorite department, Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and being an intern and educator at the Digital Arts Sciences and Humanities Lab in the library.

p.s. Last Thursday, I received a medal, certificate and flowers from Student Affairs recognizing me as a Distinguished Senior. I am so grateful and thankful for being honored in this way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s to all the Distinguished Seniors, hard workers, and members of the class of 2019 ready to start new journeys!