Naomi Williams ‘19 Atlanta, GA Druid Hills High School ‘15 ndwilliams@wesleyan.edu

Outside the Classroom:

Extracurriculars: Writer for two student run publications (The Rival and Intercut)

Dancer & choreographer for Suya (African dance group), Kalalu (West Indian dance group), and Caliente (Latinx dance group)

Favorite Activity at Wes: Relaxing in my dorm or outside

on Foss

Favorite moment at Wes:. My freshmen orientation week

Favorite movie(s): The Last Dragon, School Dayz, A Bronx Tale, Illegal Tender, The Skeleton Key

Favorite songs: “How Does it Feel” by D’Angelo, “For Lover’s Only” by Maxwell, “Christ Conscious” by Joey Bada$$

Fun Fact: I completed my first novel during

my sophomore year of high school.

Why I chose Wesleyan: I applied to Wesleyan through the QuestBridge Scholarship. I was both excited and terrified once I was matched because I knew little to nothing about the school. Plus less than 15% of the population identified as African-American. But once I got here, Black faculty and staff members immediately reached out and let me know that there were support systems on campus for students of color. I also connected with several low-income students who shared the same anxieties as I, and in seeing how passionate these underrepresented communities are on campus, I realized this would be a place I would thrive not only as a student, but also as a person because it has made me stronger and resolute in who I am. I am still here at Wes because the student body itself is a force like no other.

Academic Interests: English and Spanish language literature, Writing (both academic and creative, along with anything in between), Film, studies involving the various experiences of the African Diaspora (African American Studies, Caribbean Studies, Black Performance Art, and so on)

Favorite classes at Wes: Intro to Playwriting (my First Year Seminar), Intro to Latin@ Literature, Abriendo Caminos (my second FYS - We explored the “politics of belonging and the ethics of solidarity” amongst those living in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic), Introductory Sociology, UMBRA (A student forum lead by a former senior in which students of color came together to create an original rendition of the tragic Greek love story between Orpheus and Eurydice)

Current Classes: The Biology of Sex English Metaphysical Poetry Israel in Therapy Race and Place in Early American Literature

Why I want to be a tour guide: I chose to be a tour guide because I know how stressful the college process is, especially for first generation and low income students. I’m here as a resource to guide, inform, and also comfort students like me who may be worried about applying to a school like Wesleyan, or college period. Let me be your breath of fresh air!