Creativity, kinship, inclusivity, and engagement were alive and well during NYU SPS Spirit Week (October 19-25), which had a theme of “Rise Together, Reach New Horizons.” COVID-19 challenges could not keep the SPS student community from coming together to celebrate an action-packed week, albeit virtually, with a host of fun and educational activities for everyone.
Monday, School Spirit Day, started off with a virtual tour of the exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On Tuesday, Service Day, speakers from the Alzheimer’s Association, Long Island Chapter, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and the New York Road Runners discussed service-oriented opportunities and efforts in a series of virtual panels. In addition, over $600 was raised for the CDC during the Origami Cranes for a Cause event. Wellness Wednesday offered yoga and meditations sessions to calm the mind, body, and soul. NYU SPS Dean’s Scholar Michele Thorpe, who has been working on the front lines as a med tech at Maimonides Medical Center since the pandemic began, discussed her experiences in a speaker’s lunch series, while life coach Vanessa Marquez led the students in a webinar on stepping through the semester with confidence.
Alumni Day Thursday featured virtual sessions with alumni Aditya Vikram Kashyap ’16, Alex S. Patterson ’13 ’16, and Amelia Mae Wolfe ’13; members of the SPS Rainbow Alliance; and members of the SPS Veterans Association. Friday was Professional Day with numerous sessions on upgrading one’s skills in public speaking and interviewing, graphic design, setting up professional headshots, among others. International Day Saturday brought about global get-togethers and an IGTV live cooking class with Chef Perry Kwok. Sunday Funday featured a karaoke social mixer and a night of comedy and drag queen glamor.
The week of virtual experiences fostered a sense of true community and school spirit, thanks to the tireless work and creative vision of our student leaders, under the umbrella of the SPS Undergraduate and Graduate Student Councils, and the SPS Office of Student Life.
Watch the recap video of an amazing week: