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HEOP Goes to Albany

By Jasmine Murray ’18

It was around seven in the morning and my alarm clock rang. It was a Tuesday and my body refused to move, but finally, I rose from my bed, and made my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. Everything about this morning seemed to go wrong. The shower water was too cold, my clothes had to be ironed and I still had to make my way up the Hill.

Reluctantly, I trudged my way through the hellish snow, and finally made it Sadove. As I crossed the bridge onto Martin’s Way, I saw the smiling face of Phyllis Breland, the director of opportunity programs. When I approached her, with a giant smile she asked me how I was doing and if I was ready for the eventful day. I knew then that, despite the weather conditions and my overwhelming tiredness, greatness lay ahead.   

On that Tuesday, Feb. 9, several other HEOP scholars like myself embarked on a journey to Albany to talk to legislators about the importance of programs like HEOP. On the car ride to Albany, we chatted and listened to music, but we never lost sight of our purpose for the day. We needed to talk about our experiences and put faces to our stories.

After reaching Albany and checking in, we were surrounded by individuals who were in support of similar programs, such as EOP, SUNY and CUNY. At each turn, I was surrounded by inspirational and diverse individuals who shared the common goal of the day—to advocate for a greater financial fund. Various individuals spoke in the hopes of energizing the crowd and they instilled a sense of teamwork among the crowd. One of these speakers was Breland, who spoke passionately about the importance of higher education and the continuation of these programs. “Repeat after me,” Breland said to the crowd enthusiastically, “I said it. I meant it. I’m going to represent it.” With great energy, the crowd (that included myself) echoed the words. Each word held a different sentiment. From each person, I could feel anxiety, eagerness and love. Another speaker and fellow Hamiltonian was Eudocia Montiel ’16. As she spoke about Hamilton College and her personal experience, I felt an overwhelming sense of comradery and appreciation. I was proud to be a part of a group that sought to establish and continue equal and affordable higher education for disadvantaged individuals. The empowerment of my peers certainly helped to empower me as well.

Following the rally, the group met with different influential figures to discuss our individual stories, accomplishments and goals. Our conversations felt less like business meetings and more like community-oriented spaces for open discussion and support. The group also met Assemblyman Ron Kim ’02, a Hamilton alumnus and previous HEOP scholar. During our discussion, Kim talked about his experience of culture shock, expressing how Clinton differed greatly from his hometown, New York City. Kim also expressed his gratefulness towards Hamilton for giving him a great educational opportunity. Due to the influence of Hamilton, Kim explained that he grew into the person he both needed and wanted to be. During this conversation, I found myself feeling genuine empathy, sharing in the experience of being in a radically different area that was unlike my neighborhood. Nevertheless I knew, just like Assemblyman Kim, that this change would be extremely beneficial.

After sharing a day with my fellow peers and faculty leaders, I began to realize that we were more alike than different. Despite our backgrounds or other distinguishing factors, we all shared the mission of ensuring the possibility of higher education for those who wanted it most. From sharing laughs to listening to heartwarming stories, I grew closer to people faster than those who I see in my everyday life. On the ride up the Hill, I was thankful to be a part of a community that valued my future, but most importantly, the future of the next generation. As I slipped out of the jitney and into the current tundra of Hamilton, I knew it was all worth it.

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