Each student's journey at Holy Cross is unique. After arriving on campus, emotions can range from the excitement of starting something new to the sadness of leaving something familiar behind and everything in between. It may take time to feel like they belong. So we’ve asked our students: when was the moment you fell in love with Holy Cross?
Del Hafizi ’27 shares how he found his place when he volunteered for a committee in the Black Student Union (BSU):
"As a freshman in my second semester, I was looking to find my crowd. I had already cycled through that first friend group that I made in the first semester like most people do, so I had to once again make myself uncomfortable by interacting with people I had not met before. Although I had some pre-existing ties with the BSU, joining a committee and expressing my eagerness to contribute to the club brought new relationships with others searching for the same as myself.
Litzy, Shaunice and Omar, whom I already knew and were all on the e-board at the time, encouraged me to be a model for a photoshoot for a rodeo-themed event. In joining along, I was able to establish connections with the rest of the e-board. The social atmosphere was not the closed circle of friends that I expected. I found a safe community to talk about my mixed-race identity, what it’s like to be a student of color on a predominantly white campus, and of course we had our less serious talks. It all meant so much to me, and I continued my work on the committee when planning the Rodeo Renaissance as well. Between my committee and the e-board, I was also conveniently the only student from Texas and the only who had been to a rodeo. I was named the 'cultural ambassador,' and so was able to maintain those great friendships I made.
At the end of the year, I was invited to a dinner with the e-board and learned that I would be joining the team the following year. I had formed the strongest bonds with seniors Litzy and Omar, so it was sad to see them go. Luckily, the following sophomore year I got a lot closer to the new board, and to others through the events we had."
