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As they prepare for their May 11 Commencement ceremony, Franklin & Marshall seniors look back at their four years on campus—and what's next.

Name: Sarah Silverstein

Major: Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Hometown: Great Neck, N.Y.

Activities at F&M: Alice Drum Women's Center, Arts House, WFNM, College Entertainment Committee, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

What has been your most memorable moment or time here at F&M?

Spring Arts! As a first-year student, I felt super inspired by the talented and cool people planning events like Fall Fest and Spring Arts on the College Entertainment Committee (CEC). The mix of creative work and community engagement was right up my alley, so I became more and more involved with the committee and eventually took on larger leadership roles and tasks in planning events. I'll never forget what it felt like to plan and orchestrate my first Spring Arts. It was so inspiring to see our plans and ideas quite literally jump from the page onto Hartman Green. It was an accomplishment that gave me the confidence to dream bigger and believe in my own vision.

What did you enjoy most about your time at the College?

I love that I've become a much more curious person and deep learner because of the spaces and communities I've been a part of at F&M. As a first-generation college student, I had little idea of what to expect, and I've found a lot of joy and growth in working to figure it all out! The most valuable experiences I've have stemmed from being in a completely unfamiliar environments that challenge what I know, what I want to understand, and who I want to be. Graduating college isn't just a dream of mine, but a dream of my mother's. I've found a special kind of joy in pursuing this dream for the both of us.

What advice would you give to rising seniors?

Senior year is this wonderful and a totally wacky time! One of the best pieces of advice I received in college was to lead from the inside out. In trying to answer the many variations of questions on who you are and where you want to go, be true to yourself and pursue things that equally scare and excite you. Also, remember to be generous in sharing yourself with the communities you are a part of; you are irreplaceable, and you will be dearly missed!

What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I'll be moving to the New York metropolitan area to begin pursuing a career in the nonprofit professional sphere. I'm passionate about advocacy and social change and I'm looking forward to working either in direct service or nonprofit organizational management. I am currently in the process of hearing back on some exciting professional prospects; in the near future, I hope to earn a master's degree in social work. I very much look forward to transitioning into the professional world and I can't wait to see where my experiences and goals lead me!