[0:00] I remember her like just pulling me [0:02] aside and telling me, "No, this is [0:04] amazing. Your paper was really good." Or [0:06] something like that along those lines. [0:08] But I do remember it was the first I [0:10] think set of encouragement that I got [0:13] from like an educator. [0:22] Hello everyone. I'm Dr. Cooper, [0:24] assistant superintendent of St. Louis [0:26] Park Schools, and I'm here with St. St. [0:29] Louis Park alumni, former member of the [0:31] St. Louis Park High School band, former [0:34] youth data analyst, intern, and current [0:37] student here at the University of [0:38] Minnesota. I'm here with Amir Abdi [0:41] Raman. How are you today? [0:42] >> Pretty good. How are you? [0:43] >> Oh, I'm fantastic. I'm here with you. [0:45] I'm here at the University of Minnesota [0:47] and uh I'm here to get to know you and [0:49] so the whole world can get to know all [0:51] the things that you've done and things [0:53] that you're doing today. But to first [0:55] kick us off here is tell us a little bit [0:57] about yourself. tell us about, you know, [0:59] where you grew up and tell us about your [1:01] family. [1:02] >> Yeah, sure. Um, okay. My name is Yamira. [1:05] Um, I graduated from Park in 2023. Um, [1:07] I've been at the U since, yeah, since [1:10] that fall. Uh, I actually grew up in [1:13] Utah. Um, I was born there. Um, my [1:16] parents came from Somalia. Um, and then, [1:19] yeah, they ended up in like Utah at [1:21] first. Um, and then we moved to [1:23] Minnesota when I was about 11 years old. [1:27] I was down in like that Burnsville [1:29] Lakeville area for a little bit and then [1:32] um when I was in sixth grade I came up [1:35] to SLP and I was there since. Um I have [1:39] four siblings. I'm the oldest of five. [1:42] Um so I live with them and you know I [1:44] have my grandma at home with me too. Um [1:48] >> yeah, my family are pretty much like [1:50] everything to me. Um, and they [1:52] definitely like I think it's a special [1:55] thing because [1:56] >> um I wouldn't be like half of the person [1:58] that I am without them. Um, especially [2:01] like you know considering the past [2:04] couple years and you know growing into [2:05] an adult. I feel like [2:07] >> yeah they've been with me since day one [2:08] obviously. So definitely really [2:10] appreciate that. [2:11] >> Okay. So you got four other siblings and [2:13] you're the first one to go to college [2:15] here. [2:16] >> What what are the ages of your other [2:19] siblings and are they also in St. Park [2:21] schools, too. [2:22] >> Yeah. So, um we moved out of SLP [2:26] uh my junior year. I stayed cuz I'd been [2:29] there for a minute, but the rest of my [2:30] siblings did move. Um I have a brother [2:32] that's now 18. He just started college. [2:35] She's over at MCTC. And then, um I have [2:37] a sister that's a senior um and she's [2:41] yeah getting ready thinking about [2:42] college and stuff like that. I have [2:44] another sister um who is 14 and she just [2:47] started high school. So I think and then [2:50] I have a little brother that is 8 years [2:52] old. He's in the third grade. So just [2:53] like kind of watching their progression [2:55] and stuff like that I think has been [2:57] pretty awesome. [2:58] >> Well that's that's pretty awesome. That [3:00] means you set the stage and so that's [3:02] pretty awesome that once again you've [3:04] got your siblings going to college and [3:06] so that's an awesome awesome [3:08] accomplishment. So congratulations [3:10] there. We got to recognize that. [3:11] >> Yeah. Thank you. [3:12] >> So now your time in SLP so you started [3:14] in middle school. [3:16] >> I did. Yeah. [3:16] >> Okay. Do you remember your principal or [3:18] any teachers that really got you [3:20] connected? Cuz you were new. You didn't [3:22] go through elementary. [3:23] >> That's right. Yeah. Um I think that was [3:24] one of the first things that I noticed [3:26] at SLP. I like I think specifically for [3:30] that district, it was probably the first [3:32] time at G school ever that I felt super [3:34] connected to community there. Um, my [3:37] principal, [3:39] oh, his name is like fading from my mind [3:43] right now, but I do remember certain [3:44] I'll I'll try to bring it back at that [3:46] at that time. [3:47] >> Um, but I do remember like several [3:50] teachers that really like definitely [3:52] made that community for me. Um, [3:54] >> who were some of those teachers and if [3:56] you can remember their names and what [3:58] what was it special about them? [3:59] >> Um, I'll start with um my middle school [4:04] uh model UN. She had like a model one [4:06] class. Her name is Miss Rosen. Okay. Um [4:08] >> this is like a way like a while while [4:10] back. But um [4:11] >> yeah, she definitely made me feel I [4:14] think a lot more comfortable just being [4:16] in a new well first of all a new state [4:18] but then also just like a new community [4:20] and environment. I feel like SLP was [4:21] just a you know small pocket of like [4:23] something else. And like coming in [4:25] everybody knew everybody so I didn't [4:26] really know what to think. And then [4:28] >> I think my ability to really like learn [4:30] and grow too. um you know I was like [4:33] questioning like my ability to do [4:34] certain things and I have a story about [4:35] her. I feel like I've told it before but [4:37] like I will always remember this. Um [4:39] like in that class um we were required [4:41] to write things called like position [4:42] papers [4:43] >> and we'd like represent a country and [4:45] you know we all get together and you [4:46] know we'd give our position on a certain [4:48] like global issue and you know I don't [4:51] remember what country I was representing [4:52] but I do remember I was like oh man this [4:54] is hard. Um and [4:57] I think I made a comment or something [4:59] like that when I like turned it in. and [5:01] I was like, I don't really know about [5:02] this. Um, and she definitely I remember [5:05] her like just pulling me aside and [5:07] telling me, no, this is amazing. Your [5:09] paper was really good or something like [5:11] that. [5:11] >> Wow. [5:12] >> Along those lines, but I do remember it [5:13] was the first I think set of [5:16] encouragement that I got from like an [5:18] educator. Um, and it was, you know, I [5:21] was like 11 years old. So, um, [5:25] >> I, you know, didn't really have like the [5:27] best like sense of self yet because I [5:29] was like a kid. [5:29] >> Yeah. Um, so I think hearing that it [5:32] definitely did make things a lot easier. [5:35] Um, and then in addition to that too, [5:37] then it made me more passionate about [5:39] the subject and I continued I think [5:41] taking that class because you could take [5:42] it multiple years so I took it all [5:44] through. [5:44] >> Yeah. And I developed a like a pretty [5:46] good relationship with her and then um [5:48] when I moved to high school like I [5:49] didn't really see her as much but um [5:52] >> yeah I still stayed pretty passionate [5:53] about model UN. Um I started a club [5:56] there like at the high school. I don't [5:58] know if it's still going or anything [5:59] like that, but uh youth and government [6:01] and model United Nations like that in [6:03] part was started like all because of [6:04] like my relationship to the to the um [6:07] like the event and the activity and that [6:10] was sparked in like a middle school [6:12] classroom. So [6:13] >> So that so that shows you that words are [6:15] powerful. [6:15] >> Yeah, they're super powerful. [6:16] >> So So that teacher said something and [6:20] inspired you to become an active, you [6:23] know, and show to be active in different [6:25] things, start groups. How was that [6:27] experience when you started that group? [6:28] >> And what was the name of the group [6:30] again? [6:30] >> Youth and government. [6:31] >> Youth and government. So, how was that [6:33] experience? [6:33] >> Um, well, it I do remember it taking a [6:37] lot. Um, it I did it my senior year and [6:39] I did it with two other classmates. Um, [6:42] and I mean like obviously had no [6:45] experience doing that or like getting [6:47] any of that sort of thing off of the [6:48] ground. Um it's part of like a statewide [6:52] initiative to get um young people more [6:54] like civically engaged and stuff like [6:56] that. So um there's a conference that [6:59] people go to or students go to um I [7:02] think in the winter time and they go to [7:03] the state capital and they get to [7:04] present their you know wow [7:06] >> like they get to act as state [7:07] representatives and you know pick real [7:09] world issues to write resolutions on. [7:11] It's a really cool thing. Um but SLP [7:14] didn't have a delegation. So when we [7:16] started it we had a lot of work to do. [7:18] um getting it off the ground like [7:21] getting funding and then also just you [7:22] know getting people interested in [7:24] students like wanting to join. [7:25] >> Um it definitely did take a lot of [7:28] commitment and then also like we needed [7:30] somebody that was you know like a [7:32] teacher to say yes to us in the first [7:34] place. So um I guess that brings me to [7:36] like high school now but um Miss Emma I [7:39] do remember her. I never even officially [7:41] had her as a a teacher, but she was [7:44] somebody that through that experience [7:46] and then also I ended up like taing for [7:48] her just because I ended up, you know, [7:49] developing a relationship with her and [7:51] like getting to know her so well. [7:52] >> Now TA, explain that to in case people [7:54] was listening. [7:55] >> Oh, sorry. Yeah. Yeah. Teachers [7:56] assistant. [7:57] >> A teacher assistant. [7:58] >> Yeah. Just um helping them with whatever [8:01] they need, I guess, in the classroom [8:03] because I had it was senior year and I I [8:04] think I had a study hall that was [8:06] >> just open. So that's where I was. Um, [8:10] but yeah, I think her encouragement and [8:13] guidance throughout the entire process [8:15] definitely made things easier. And then [8:17] I think the seeing the amount of people [8:20] like kind of grow and get interested in [8:22] it I think was really cool. I do [8:24] remember going to visit I think the next [8:27] year and like the membership or the [8:29] people that were interested. I think we [8:31] t took like 25 kids to the capitol um in [8:34] 2023 and then I went into the room to go [8:37] see like what was going on and just like [8:39] say hi and stuff like that and um [8:41] >> there were 50 kids in the room easily. [8:43] So it was [8:44] >> how does that make you feel? [8:45] >> It made me feel awesome that that could [8:47] continue even though um the three of us [8:49] that were seniors that started that [8:51] thing like now had like moved on. Um, [8:54] >> and I think that it definitely made that [8:58] like time commitment worth it [9:00] >> and it was really cool and it definitely [9:02] made me feel excited for kind of the [9:05] future um to watch it grow and stuff [9:07] like that. So yeah, it was surreal. I [9:08] definitely didn't believe it. I kind of [9:09] walked into the room and I was like, [9:10] whoa. [9:11] >> It it is once again a seed was planted, [9:15] you know, a word was planted in you that [9:17] went on to start [9:19] >> this program, [9:20] >> right? 25 students by the time you [9:23] started it and then you came back and [9:24] you walked into the room was like 50. [9:26] >> It doubled. Yeah. It was [9:28] >> That's incredible. Once again, you got [9:30] to be your mom, your family, dad. I have [9:32] to be so proud. [9:33] >> Yeah. Thank you. [9:34] >> Of the things that you've accomplished [9:36] and still accomplishing. [9:37] >> Yeah. [9:38] >> So, that got you kind of into St. Louis [9:40] Park. It made you feel connected. [9:42] >> But you was also part of the band, [9:44] right? [9:44] >> I definitely was. Yeah. [9:46] >> So, how was talk about band. [9:48] >> Yeah. Um, and like when you said that I [9:50] was like, "Oh, wait. How did he know I [9:52] was in band?" But, you know, I did my [9:53] research. Yeah. Did your research. I [9:55] Yeah, definitely appreciate that. Yeah. [9:57] And I'm glad you asked because that was [9:58] also like a really big part of like who [10:00] I was. Um, [10:01] >> I started to play the flute like in [10:04] Lakeville. Um, that's like where I was, [10:07] you know, before for a short time. Um, [10:08] and I joined it because I needed a music [10:10] requirement [10:11] >> or I I had a music requirement I had to [10:13] fill and I was like, you know what? All [10:14] right. I'll try it. And then I came to [10:16] SLP and um I want to say specifically at [10:20] the high school too. I mean like for all [10:22] all of the um from like fifth grade I [10:25] think is when they start um [10:27] >> through 12th grade I mean it's super [10:29] like integrated and it's like definitely [10:31] a community but at the high school level [10:32] specifically um [10:35] I if I don't I don't think I could pick [10:37] a better place for like community to be [10:40] built and for um you know like those [10:42] special relationships to be created and [10:45] continued. Um and my band teacher at the [10:48] time Mr. Schmidz. He was probably one of [10:52] the nicest and you know I think most [10:55] affirming individuals that I've ever [10:57] come across like as and that just means [10:58] like as a person like if you and then as [11:01] an educator too he was just so amazing. [11:03] I remember he had this phrase and it was [11:04] like [11:05] >> building better people through music. [11:07] And I think that that was so interesting [11:09] because when we come to school um I feel [11:14] like and you know in college too this is [11:16] like continued I feel like there's part [11:18] sometimes like it's very focused on this [11:21] is what you have to do this is what you [11:22] have to get done right [11:23] >> all of that but I I felt that in his [11:26] classroom like that started to expose me [11:28] to oh there are other parts of myself [11:30] that I like don't have to leave at the [11:31] door that I can kind of bring and I [11:33] think he was very focused on celebrating [11:35] us as individuals and as people that are [11:37] growing and developing. [11:38] >> So, let's talk about what you may felt [11:39] like you may have to leave at the door. [11:41] What what what were some of those [11:43] things? [11:43] >> Um, it was just like not really feeling [11:48] like included as much. [11:50] >> Um, I think, you know, even going as far [11:55] as like asking somebody how their day [11:56] was like can make a huge difference. But [11:58] I mean like um I'll use an example like [12:02] in some classes sometimes I feel like [12:04] it's very much about well I don't really [12:07] know how this connects to my personal [12:08] life. I'm sitting here I'm like doing [12:09] equations. I'm doing you know certain [12:11] things. I'm doing a worksheet. I don't [12:13] really know how this applies to like my [12:14] personal life, but um there are certain [12:17] things like you know maybe he'd ask [12:19] about like our family or he'd ask you [12:21] know how things are going or what we [12:22] like to do for fun or you know um just [12:25] things like that or you know as and then [12:27] this is because this is somebody that I [12:28] had over you four years instead of just [12:30] one. [12:31] >> Um it was a lot more focused on okay [12:34] this is a relationship that can build. [12:36] He knew a lot about you know me [12:38] personally. He knew my family. [12:40] um spent a lot of time like yeah just [12:44] there in general and then like um he [12:47] definitely in what he did too. We did [12:50] have pieces that we played and stuff [12:52] like that that um you know he had [12:54] chosen, but then he also asked us like [12:56] what we you know were interested in and [12:58] kind of Yeah, he had he had our voice in [13:00] the room and he definitely brought that [13:02] in. And then [13:03] >> um definitely also not even just [13:06] facilitated those relationships between [13:08] like us but then also between like the [13:09] students and like each other. So I got [13:11] to know a lot of the other kids that you [13:13] know were with me. Um, and yeah, by that [13:16] last concert I was like I kind of like [13:18] looked at them and I was like I don't [13:19] know how I'm supposed to like leave [13:21] these guys. They definitely meant like [13:23] and they still do mean a lot to me even [13:25] if everybody has gone their separate [13:27] ways. So [13:28] >> well I mean we always hear that in [13:30] education is so important. Relationships [13:32] are so important for sure. And so for [13:34] you, that's one of the biggest things [13:36] for me as an educator and my time as a [13:38] teacher or principal is I wanted to make [13:40] sure every student as they came into my [13:42] classroom, as they came into my [13:43] building, that they could show up who [13:45] they were [13:45] >> for sure [13:46] >> and not say, "Oh, I got to leave this [13:48] here or I got to hide this or [13:50] >> wow, my principal, my teacher [13:52] >> Yeah. [13:53] >> or my educator cares about me." And so [13:56] that's what's really important. So I'm [13:57] glad you shared that. Now, what [14:00] instrument did you play to the flute? [14:01] >> Yeah. Yeah. And then I I really wanted [14:03] to be in the jazz band. So like senior [14:05] year I like learned the bass guitar cuz [14:06] I couldn't play the flute. So they and I [14:09] still play like both, but I just I can't [14:11] do it like now at the U. I might senior [14:14] year when things like free up a little [14:15] bit, but I can't right now. But I'd [14:17] still do in my personal life kind of [14:18] keep music in my life that way. [14:20] >> I wish you would had your guitar. I [14:22] would had you do a solo right now. [14:26] Well, so you was a part of you was part [14:28] of band um and all that, but you also [14:31] were a part of uh basketball, right? [14:33] >> Oh, no, that wasn't that wasn't at SLP. [14:36] >> But you played basketball [14:37] >> for a little bit. Yeah. [14:38] >> And you love I hear basketball, the [14:40] WNBA. [14:41] >> How'd you know that? [14:42] >> I do my research. Okay. I do. [14:44] >> Oh, wow. Wow. Yeah. Yeah, that is true. [14:46] I do love basketball. Yeah. [14:47] >> So, you you te tell about a story. Okay. [14:49] So, you love WNBA and and you have watch [14:51] parties, right? [14:53] >> Did you talk to Dr. La? I feel like [14:55] >> Well, what do you We'll get to Dr. [14:56] Lafayette in a second here. [14:58] >> Yeah. Yeah, I do. I do. Yeah. [15:00] >> And what what do you do special at these [15:02] uh watch party? Don't you make [15:03] something? [15:04] >> Yeah, I bake cupc or my friends and I [15:06] like bake cupcakes like occasionally [15:08] >> with with the names, right? Players. [15:10] >> We have like little like sticks with [15:12] like kind of like the players like head [15:14] shots and we kind of kept them as like [15:16] souvenirs. It was like a really fun [15:17] moment. Um I go I'm a really big [15:20] supporter of the Minnesota Links too. [15:22] So, I'm using this opportunity to say go [15:24] Links. [15:24] >> Go. That's right. Go Links. I think they [15:26] won game one, right? [15:27] >> They did. Yeah, I was there with my dad. [15:28] >> You Okay. Did they When's game two? [15:31] >> Uh, I want to say it's Friday. [15:34] >> Okay. Friday. [15:35] >> Tomorrow. [15:36] >> Tonight. [15:36] >> Tonight. Tonight. I know the Aces and [15:39] like I think they split it up. [15:42] >> I think they split it up [15:43] >> because um the links what best team in [15:45] the league [15:46] >> and they've been the best team in the [15:47] league too like this entire time. So, [15:49] who's your [15:50] >> favorite WNBA player [15:52] >> of all time? [15:53] >> Of all time. [15:56] >> I have to go with my Moore. Like, I know [15:58] she's retired. I know she's retired, but [16:01] the way that she came in and she [16:04] >> and I know her her career wasn't as long [16:06] as, you know, we would have like wanted [16:08] it to be, but the way that she came in [16:11] um established I'm here to compete. I'm [16:13] here to win. [16:14] >> Um and did that. And then also um I [16:19] think after her career too kind of took [16:21] a step back and um you know fought for [16:23] what she believed in I thought was [16:25] really huge. She's a huge role model to [16:26] me. [16:27] >> Oh yeah, I see the connection. [16:28] >> Yeah. [16:30] Um so it's really cool. Um she's [16:33] definitely like one of my favorite [16:34] players currently. Um I have to go with [16:37] Nisa Collier. [16:38] >> Oh, she's good. [16:39] >> She's amazing. [16:40] >> She's good, too. See, I'm old school, so [16:42] I'm I'mma go back to Cheryl Miller back [16:44] in the USC days. She didn't get a chance [16:46] to play in the WNBA. Uh do you remember [16:48] Cynthia Cooper with the Houston Comics [16:51] and then uh Cheryl Swoops? [16:52] >> Cheryl Swoops. [16:53] >> She had her own shoes. [16:54] >> She had her own. [16:57] >> So you you brought up Dr. Lafayette. [16:59] >> Yeah. [16:59] >> Now Dr. Lafayette, you was a part of the [17:01] youth data analyst intern. [17:03] >> I was. Yeah. [17:04] >> So how did you get involved in that and [17:06] uh how was that experience? [17:08] >> Yeah. So, when I was a junior in high [17:12] school, um I was at a certain I was on a [17:16] superintendent advisory committee and [17:17] they had a separate [17:20] um I think they had a strategic plan [17:22] meeting and Dr. Lefet was there and she [17:24] was presenting at that meeting [17:26] >> and she talked about YDA and I did it in [17:30] 2022. So there were two courts that went [17:31] before me and she was explaining their [17:33] research and you know what the ideology [17:35] behind it um and you know how the [17:38] program had gone so far what they were [17:40] hoping to do in the future and I sat [17:42] there and I was like I think this is [17:44] something that I have to be a part of. [17:46] So I was able to um talk to her a little [17:49] bit more in detail after the event had [17:51] ended about YDA and um yeah again what [17:55] they stand for and how best I could you [17:58] know help and be involved and [18:00] >> yeah that summer I was able to spend it [18:02] with um her Dr. Abigail Rambolski who is [18:07] at C CD um over here at the U [18:11] >> um and then [18:13] >> a couple other students too. Um, and we [18:17] were there for nine weeks and we looked [18:20] into um, investigating what the hopes [18:23] and the dreams were of SLP's community. [18:26] >> And that was definitely, I think, [18:30] probably one of the most like formative [18:32] experiences that I've had at SLP. Um, it [18:35] meant so much to me that, you know, not [18:38] only like could our voices be heard as [18:40] students, especially as the ones like [18:41] going through the experience, but then [18:43] also like [18:44] >> let's hand it off the mic to people that [18:46] also like may not have been heard [18:49] otherwise. So it was a really great [18:52] opportunity to do that and then the [18:53] project itself was focused on what [18:56] students, what parents, what families, [18:58] what they wanted out of the district. [19:00] And then so being able to do that and [19:02] then also take that research and take [19:04] that data and put that into action um [19:07] and get recommendations there was really [19:09] cool. [19:10] >> Um and then it meant so much to me that [19:13] experience that um again relationships I [19:15] keep coming back to them. They're such a [19:16] huge thing. But I kept in touch with Dr. [19:18] Dr. Lafayette throughout and then same [19:21] thing with Dr. Rumbolski and then they [19:22] asked me [19:24] >> uh this past summer um when I wasn't at [19:26] work or at school like to come back and [19:28] you know help like the current cohort of [19:30] students that were also doing their [19:32] project as a college student and at [19:34] first I was like kind of taken a back [19:35] because the college students that helped [19:37] us seemed so much older when I was [19:39] younger. [19:40] >> Um [19:40] >> it always feels like that. [19:41] >> Yeah, it always feels like that. I was [19:42] like am I actually like that that old? [19:45] But it was a really cool experience to [19:48] um kind of come back. I think um I think [19:52] SLP was very um I think it was huge in [19:56] like my formative years and then also [19:57] like getting me to where I am now, what [19:59] I'm doing now. Um and especially since I [20:01] don't have siblings in the district [20:02] anymore and I don't live in SLP anymore, [20:05] like it was a great way to kind of come [20:07] back and serve. And I also think that [20:09] they taught me a lot. And when I say [20:10] they, I mean especially like the [20:11] students that are there. um they're so [20:15] brilliant and I feel like when we were [20:17] told that kind of or when I was told [20:19] that at their age it was kind of like oh [20:21] they have to say that moment but I think [20:22] being on the other side and really [20:24] witnessing what they have to say and [20:26] hearing the amazing things that they [20:28] have to talk about and the experiences [20:29] that they bring um I have no words for [20:33] it other than this is brilliance and [20:35] this is like what we are at our best [20:37] like [20:38] >> it's an amazing thing [20:39] >> you all are so brilliant when I I this [20:42] is my first year in St. Louis Park and I [20:44] had the opportunity to visit the youth [20:46] data analyst interns over the summer [20:49] >> and then seeing the presentation at the [20:52] lead conference here at the University [20:54] of Minnesota [20:55] >> and then coming back for the students uh [20:58] that are juniors and seniors and I might [21:00] have even been a sophomore in the group. [21:03] >> Yeah, there were there are several [21:05] incoming sophomores in that group. Yeah. [21:06] >> In that group to be able to present in [21:09] front of leaders in the district about [21:11] their findings, right? That is I have [21:14] never seen that anywhere else in any [21:17] other district I've been in and I'm so [21:18] impressed by that because that's truly [21:20] honoring the student voice [21:22] >> uh that we have here with our students. [21:24] >> Yeah. [21:24] >> And what you all say don't think it just [21:27] goes out the window as you saw there [21:29] there's records from this year. This is [21:32] what the students found. This is what [21:33] the youth data analyst found and those [21:35] things are placed into the school's [21:38] continuous improvement plans. And it's [21:41] just that's just so awesome uh that that [21:44] takes place. So for me that has been [21:46] amazing to see and for you you've had [21:49] another full circle moment because you [21:51] had your youth group [21:52] >> and then you come back and then youth [21:54] data analyst interns and come back and [21:56] see that and you see another area where [21:58] you made a mark. Look at you. You just [22:01] you just making history uh everywhere [22:04] you go. And and as we think about [22:05] history and you think about here in [22:08] college, you've been accepted to med [22:12] school, right? [22:13] >> Conditionally, but yeah, [22:15] >> don't be shy about it. Okay, you guys. [22:18] >> So, yeah, I'm part of like a joint [22:20] admissions program here called the BAMD [22:23] program. Um, and basically when I um you [22:26] know committed to the U, I also [22:28] committed um to the U's med school. So [22:31] um basically when I graduate um with my [22:34] bachelor's degree um in 2027 and I [22:37] complete some other requirements um I [22:39] will be going to the use medical school [22:42] um and I'll be there. [22:44] >> So yeah that definitely has been [22:47] surreal and my dream and I I think that [22:50] when things get hard because they do get [22:52] hard but when they do like I think back [22:54] to myself like two years ago and I'm [22:56] like I know she would not believe where [22:58] she is right now. So, [23:00] >> and and you talked about when you first [23:02] came to Minnesota and it all started [23:04] once again with a seed, [23:06] >> right? [23:07] >> And how that seed got planted and look [23:09] to where you're at today. [23:10] >> Yeah. That you can do this mentality and [23:13] >> you can do it. [23:13] >> Yeah. [23:14] >> So, if there's anything I can tell any [23:16] educator or anybody out there, words [23:18] have power. [23:19] >> They do. Yeah. [23:20] >> So, so we know you're going to med [23:22] school. It's going to happen day. It's [23:24] going to happen. You're going to get [23:25] everything done. [23:26] >> But you also want to be an RA, right? [23:29] Oh, yeah. That's the hope. That's the [23:32] hope. [23:32] >> That's the hope. You You're wondering [23:34] where I got all this info from. [23:35] >> Yeah. I was like, "Where did you get [23:36] this?" Um Yeah. Um I think it's just I [23:40] think what I realized about myself over [23:42] the years is that um I'm definitely [23:46] somebody that values like trust building [23:48] and relationship building. Um, and [23:52] I think that that's definitely [23:54] especially since going to like such a [23:55] big school is like a kind of an issue [23:58] >> or not an issue, but you know, like I [23:59] think it's kind of a bit harder to [24:02] develop those kinds of things when [24:03] you're not you're not in like SFP [24:04] anymore where it's like a little bit [24:05] smaller. You're kind of now in classes [24:07] with like 300 people kind of doing [24:09] things. And um, so I thought about like [24:15] you considering like being an RA too to [24:17] like help foster that and facilitate [24:18] that. And then also um I definitely had [24:20] a lot of questions my freshman year and [24:22] things were [24:24] >> beyond. So you had a RA that was really [24:26] helpful and [24:27] >> I actually didn't live on campus. So [24:29] that's the thing. Um but um [24:32] >> so this would be your chance to [24:34] >> Yeah, that too. And also like just kind [24:36] of immerse myself a bit more on campus. [24:37] So that's like another reason behind it. [24:39] >> I was u an RA so that's why I was an RA [24:43] for a few years in college. Um, it is [24:46] such a a great experience because you're [24:49] able, like you said, to be able to share [24:50] what you know, right, and build those [24:52] relationships. And I'm not sure they [24:54] still do this, but as a RA, I had to put [24:56] on programs. [24:57] >> So, I had to do like two programs. You [24:59] still got to do that. [25:00] >> Yeah. [25:00] >> So, with everything that you do and the [25:02] things that you've done, man, just to [25:04] think about the continuous impact you [25:06] can have on campus here. [25:07] >> Yeah. [25:07] >> And no doubt about it, you you already [25:10] made an impact because I just know who [25:12] you are. Uh so as we go back and look at [25:15] um high school, what is something you [25:18] would tell your high school self now [25:20] that you're sitting here? So you're in [25:22] your third year here at the University [25:23] of Minnesota. What would you go back and [25:25] tell your high school self? [25:27] >> Um [25:30] I'd say be present. I think I spent a [25:34] lot of time [25:37] worrying about the future and worrying [25:39] about whether I was good enough to get [25:41] this opportunity or whether I was, you [25:43] know, good enough to do that. And um [25:47] I think that high school me definitely [25:50] would have appreciated like just being [25:53] able to step back and realize where I've [25:55] come and how far I've come and that you [25:58] know [25:59] all like where I am now. It's because [26:01] of, you know, all of like the hard work [26:03] that I've put in and, you know, all the [26:06] people that have like uplifted me since [26:07] and that they've got me, too. Yeah. [26:09] >> If they if you know, things don't work [26:10] out the way that they're planned. [26:12] >> Um, [26:13] >> they will. [26:14] >> They will. They will. Um, so I think [26:17] just hearing that, you know, it'll all [26:18] work out and that I should like stay in [26:20] the present definitely. [26:21] >> Yes. [26:22] >> Would be helpful. And, um, I did hear [26:24] that a lot too, not just from like my [26:27] family, but again, like the support [26:28] network that I did have at SLP. um [26:30] especially some of my teachers even like [26:32] applying to the program that I'm in now. [26:34] Like I do remember I was I think it was [26:36] a free period and I was in my psychology [26:38] teachers room and you know I was like I [26:41] don't I it was after the interview and I [26:44] was like waiting to hear back and I was [26:45] you know kind of freaking out. I was [26:47] like well I said that you know I said [26:48] this during my interview and I don't [26:50] really know if I'm going to get in [26:51] because of it and all of the things that [26:54] I was like worrying about. And he kind [26:55] of you know had me step back and he was [26:57] like you did what you could control. [26:59] Yeah. [27:00] >> Now enjoy being done with college [27:03] applications and done with that entire [27:05] experience and enjoy the rest of the [27:07] time that you do have and enjoy it with [27:09] your friends and you know your family.