Name/Hometown/School/Major: Amirah Sequeira, Winnipeg, MB, CANADA BABY. CC – History and Sustainable Development.

Claim to Fame: Before the last Harry Potter movie came out, I spent an entire night in 209 writing a Harry Potter themed SGB newsletter. Also, Deantini called me a pain in the ass today (clearly I’ve succeeded in life). Once I got married on low steps. I was also the rep for the college republicans this year.

Otherwise, I spent 4 years trying to get you to call the White House to demand more funding for HIV/AIDS. Also JGH, UAEM, SGB, GHPN.

p.s. I make up acronyms to seem important.

Where are you going? To Washington DC to be an unpaid AIDS activist until I find someone who wants to pay me for it. (More likely: I’m forced to give up on the dream and work another job so that I can return to NYC and not be homeless). Eligible and wealthy bachelors – I’m taking applications!

Three things you learned at Columbia:

  1. Challenge authority. Speak truth to power. If something makes you angry,if someone is being treated unfairly, if people are being marginalized: YELL about it because no one else will. When people in positions of power fuck with things that you care about, make a hell of a lot of noise. DON’T STOP YELLING until they hear you.
  2. When American talk about the “Jets”, they’re not referring to the hockey team. (WTF?!)
  3. Little things can change your life. I’ve been blessed with countless seemingly random but truly serendipitous moments and interactions which have had significant impacts on my being. I once said hi to a guy in my first arabic class of freshman year before he switched to another section – after numerous run-ins, we had lunch in John Jay a few months later. That “hi” turned into one of the greatest friendships I’ve ever had. Many of my most meaningful relationships at this school have started out in such ways – and I’m thankful everyday for these beautiful moments (small miracles really) that brought such wonderful people into my life. I’ve learnt to never shy away from a conversation with a stranger – you never know how that person or that conversation may challenge and change you.

“Back in my day…” SIP made my friday afternoons wonderful. People hadn’t yet learned how to walk across campus while texting without tripping – now we’re all masters of the walking/texting relationship. Bwog had a “what was your favourite campus controversy?” question. I wonder why this is gone.

Justify your existence in 30 words or less: I’m driven by passion, try to approach life with love, and believe in the goodness of human kind.

More importantly: I’m Canadian – be jealous.

Is the War on Fun over? Who won? Any war stories? I’ve been to nearly every roof on campus, been tunnelling for hours multiple times, and had way too much fun on Low steps at 2:12 on a Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago.

Conclusion: there may be a War on Fun (I’m quite certain there is) but as with many things, the Columbia administration sucks at it.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? The most notable difference between the Mexican Cowboy and the Texan Cowboy at Artopolis is the inclusion of cheese (and onions instead of mango, but that’s irrelevant) in the Texan.The cheese brings out the delicious flavour of the buffalo chicken in an absolutely delectable way. Life without cheese would be disastrous for my taste buds.

That being said: Why must you make me choose Bwog!!?? I refuse.

Advice for the class of 2016:

  • The question isn’t “what” do you want to be, but “WHO” do you want to be? think long and hard about this.
  • “Balance” is subjective. Please don’t judge the balance you have in your own life based off of the way in which your friends balance theirs. You’ll make a lot of mistakes, overextend yourself, neglect to do your homework, find some semblance of “balance”, and then probably repeat the whole cycle again – that is totally okay!! But do try to sleep once in a while.
  • It really is okay to not be “okay” It took me three years to learn this, and to ask for help/support when I need it. Not only is it okay to ask for help, but you’re a stronger person for doing it. A walk around campus and a significant effort to remember how lucky (and privileged) I am to be at this school always gives me the strength to keep going/fighting/working/etc.
  • Have fun. Butler dance parties will solve ALL of your problems.

Any regrets? Mostly, I wish I could have spent more time with the friends who have been my family at Columbia. You all have made the past four years the best (challenging/fulfilling/beautiful/etc) of my life – for that, I’m eternally grateful.