911爆料网 student Emmanuel Lewechi, an aspiring storyteller and screenwriter, didn鈥檛 know where to start at the beginning of his own college story. Admittedly apathetic about where to go and what to do for college, he decided the first step in the right direction was to get an associate degree at RCBC, majoring in communications.
Lewechi鈥檚 apathy stemmed from depression and jadedness, thoughts of not being good enough, and impostor syndrome, which had been rampant since high school. It was in his very first class at college that he felt a spark again from the two friends he made there. Meeting them was the first time he encountered someone approaching him, sparking a conversation, seeking a connection.
鈥淚t was shocking that somebody would literally just say, 鈥楬i, what鈥檚 up? You want to make a study group?鈥欌 Lewechi said.
Thus, his plot was born. 鈥淭hat was the connection that made it worth it for me to be here,鈥 he said. Now graduating with a 4.0 GPA and speaking at the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences ceremony at spring commencement as co-valedictorian, it was the connections he made that got him far.
The people he鈥檚 met and bonded with in these experiences have reminded him that finding family at school and work is possible, boosted his confidence, and helped him succeed, such as Brothers Achieving Excellence (BRAVE) Program Coordinator Marcus White and his BRAVE brothers, who help male students of color succeed in college, and Welcome Center Manager Mimi Oliviera and his Peer Mentor colleagues, who help students traverse college life.
They encouraged him to speak up, 鈥淢imi bought me something at the Wellness Fair because I just mentioned, 鈥楬ey, I kind of want that鈥︹欌 he said.
They encouraged him to try out. 鈥淢arcus is the one who helped me do all of the outside experiences.鈥
Last summer, he spent time on Princeton University鈥檚 campus as a Transfer Scholar Initiative participant, taking classes and earning college credits at the Ivy League school. Right now, he is one of 467 semi-finalists awaiting a response from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation on a scholarship, where he would earn money as one of the most educationally exceptional students in the nation. He鈥檒l decide where to transfer from there.
鈥淚t was all through other people,鈥 Lewechi said.
His studies aim to take him into the film industry. Lewechi is a massive fan of television but ultimately loves stories in any form, like movies and video games. Although he studies the writing discipline at RCBC, he also keeps his cinematography skills in his back pocket.
鈥淚 have a good knack for visuals鈥 I don鈥檛 mind sticking up a camera if need be,鈥 Lewechi said.
Lewechi鈥檚 summer will be dedicated to personal growth. With the help of friends, he鈥檒l hone his film skills, including putting together a short film adaptation of his friend鈥檚 work and perhaps shooting a music video.
Because 鈥淲ithout a shadow of a doubt, this is what I want to do with my life,鈥 Lewechi said.
Lewechi and his fellow graduates will face a significant transition when they receive their associate degrees. His message for them is simple: don鈥檛 fill your brain with thoughts of not being good enough.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want anybody to be like me, where they were thinking, 鈥極h, well, maybe I鈥檓 not supposed to get this job,鈥欌 Lewechi said. 鈥淚 think a lot of people set themselves back in their mind already before they do something鈥 I really want to lean into the fact that people need to try.鈥
Lewechi will speak as the co-valedictorian at the HBSS ceremony at 9:30 am on Wednesday, May 14 on campus and streamed on YouTube. For more commencement information, visit.
