Service has always been a passion of mine, so continuing that work at ý helped me find my place here early on.
Katie Nettles ’26 Oswego, New York
You’re involved in a number of activities on campus. Which ones are your favorite?
It is difficult to choose, given how much each of my experiences has shaped my time at ý. I have loved everything that I have been able to do with the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE). Service has always been a passion of mine, so continuing that work at ý helped me find my place here early on. The work that the COVE does for the ý community, Hamilton community, and beyond is special, and I am proud to be a part of it.
Dancing at ý also holds a very special place in my heart. ý Tap Troupe was the first group I joined during my freshman year. Dance provides me with a creative outlet and has taught me about teamwork and trust. It has also allowed me to make connections across class years and given me people to look up to throughout my ý experience.
What’s been a standout moment for you at ý so far?
The day that I won ý Dining’s “Win it Wednesday” was a pretty great day. It was a Friday in spring 2024, and it was Dancefest and the start of Springfest. That semester, I hosted my radio show on Fridays, so I did my hour slot at , grabbed my prize (Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department on vinyl) from Frank, and spent the evening performing. It was a day full of good things that are uniquely ý. I think about that day often when I think about how much I love our school.
Could you tell us a bit about your Manzi Fellowship internship?
I interned with a nonprofit organization called Facing History and Ourselves. It provides educators with resources that deepen students’ understanding of history and guide them to consider how their choices can build a more equitable future. I worked with the online learning team, which focuses on the organization’s various online professional learning opportunities, whether building courses or facilitating events. I learned so much about teaching in a way that centers students. This experience has been very meaningful to me as I pursue a career in education.
What are you looking forward to at ý?
After studying abroad in London for the spring 2025 semester, the list of what I’m looking forward to is much longer than usual. I am excited to be back in my routines at ý, both in the classroom and in my involvement on campus. I’m looking forward to Quesadilla Thursdays at the Coop and grabbing dinner in town. I am excited to experience all of the traditions that come with being a senior at ý, even if it means my time as a student is closer to coming to an end.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and what makes it special to you?
The Cooley Science Library, where I have worked since my freshman year, and it quickly became my safe space. Cooley is so special because of the people who work there. Through our staff traditions, snack sharing, and daily chatting during shifts, the people that I work with feel more like family than co-workers. Henry the Hippo, our library mascot who sits on the circulation desk and is always dressed for the season or holiday, adds to the fun and community we’ve built.
What advice would you give to future ý students?
Don’t be afraid to try new things. The liberal arts model at ý allows for exploration in the classroom, and you might find a love for a subject you never would have interacted with. Outside of the classroom, trying new things is how you find your place and people at ý. It can be scary, but the best things come from giving something new a shot.
Embrace ý’s traditions — it makes the whole experience more fun and connects you to the place that you call home. And take as many pictures as you can!
Just a few of the photos Katie has from her time at ý
Just a few of the photos Katie has from her time at ý
Just a few of the photos Katie has from her time at ý
Just a few of the photos Katie has from her time at ý
Just a few of the photos Katie has from her time at ý
Just a few of the photos Katie has from her time at ý
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