In the photo at the top, I’m just a year and three months old, my favourite pastime being a good cry—whether out of joy, sadness, or for absolutely no reason at all. It took me years to realize the significance of that time spent at home. It wasn’t until I experienced a different environment that I truly understood the art of reflection and appreciation. That home is—no, not was—USAP Community School.
Before every meal, we said grace, “For these and other blessings, we are truly grateful.” This mantra ingrained in me a sense of gratitude for every blessing I receive(d), starting with the gift of life itself. So, when I graduated from USAP, I cried tears of joy and sadness, just like that one-year-old me would have. Yet, my journey didn’t end there; I returned as a Teaching Assistant, and on my last day in that role, I found myself crying again—this time, mourning the farewell to the beautiful moments I had experienced.
The lessons I learned, the values I developed, and the memories I wove at USAP Community School are treasures I carry in my heart. As I now navigate life in the Berkshires and beyond, attending Williams College, I am constantly in awe of my surroundings. With each conversation with the wonderful people around me, I whisper in my heart, “For these and other blessings, I am truly grateful!”
USAP Community School prepared me for challenges, and now I find myself in a place that in some ways feels like heaven. Life at USAP wasn’t always easy; there were winters spent bathing in ice-cold water, moments of academic failure, and tears shed from missing family. Yet, through it all, we supported each other. Now, equipped with resources I once dreamed of, I’m determined to make the most of them.
As I navigate my new life at Williams and search for my purpose and direction toward future impact, I carry with me the profound lessons of gratitude that were at the core of my USAP experience. Here’s to embracing every moment and appreciating the journey ahead!
Lesedi Jepthan Chirikuutsi is a first year student at Williams College, member of the Williams Debating Society and a graduate from the USAPCS Class of 2023.
