Barnard’s literal and figurative poster child, Athena Abadilla, wants you to that it’s important to feel and recognize the heroes who take care of us.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: 

Athena Abadilla | Barnard | Religion & Education Studies | Kekaha, Hawai’i

Claim to fame: 
Being Barnard’s poster child (yes, that was me on the Broadway gates & taking over Admissions’ Instagram one too many times).

Where are you going? 
Across the street and up a few blocks to Teachers College next fall (Hello world of Higher Education!! We’re taking over for all the students of color, indigenous students, undocumented students, LGBTQ+ students, first-generation/low-income students. No doubt your voice is about to be heard when I’m officially tapped into the Student Affairs game).

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2024? 

1. No one supports and celebrates you on campus like service staff members do. On some of my lowest days at the college, I would find myself uplifted by the simple hallway chats and hugs of Ms. Rose in the Quad or the smile and well wishes of Ms. Claudia when I stumble into Diana and accidentally say good morning at 1 pm before ordering my iced chai for the day. The true under-recognized heroes who take care of so many of us daily. Be kind to them, and be friends with them!

2. It is not only okay to feel; it is important to feel. Let those emotions flow. Especially when you’re at a place that’s known for its academic rigor, the “stress culture” and the expectations of greatness often rob us of our human sides. And that’s not your fault, it’s the institution’s. Try not to let what you do (or, in some cases, what you can’t do) take priority over who you are and how you feel. If there comes a time you feel the need to, take the incomplete in the class, skip the discussion section to lay on the couch in your favorite office on campus, make those decisions that let yourself have more space to process all the different changes and circumstances in your life during your time here. Future you will thank you.

And 3. New York City is a freaking fantastic home. Allow yourself time to experience it all. (Also, we’re in Harlem, not “Morningside Heights”—respect the neighborhood and its history).

“Back in my day…” 
Bwog still asked you to justify your existence in 30 words or fewer. Hewitt & Diana were run by Aramark. Bacchanal was on Low (excited to see what’s next for them!). Also, did you know 2020 was the only class that saw 3 different Barnard presidents? Hope Rob is enjoying Pomona with Avis!! And where is DSpar??

Favorite Columbia controversy?
Honestly, being hyper-involved on campus and being SGA adjacent, I definitely got a lot of hot campus tea. But I’m trying to practice professionalism. Ask me again at our 10-year reunion when I’m an older alum aunty.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? 
All the classes offered by the Center for Studies in Ethnicity & Race, especially with Elsa Stamatopoulou or Nathalie Handal, icons. <3

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?
As a fan of free fancy fruit & cheese platters, that would be a hard goodbye (but I can do without).

Whom would you like to thank?
So many people and places :’) Listing all of them by name will take up more pages than all my final papers combined. But, to all the family, friends, friends who’ve become family, folks on campus that I pretended to remember and have full conversations with on my way between meetings, everyone who has extended their support in any way, I am deeply grateful for all of you. This one’s for you *tips (virtual) graduation cap*

One thing to do before graduating: 
Finish my thesis!! And pass on all my love and almost worn-out resilience to the underclassmen still navigating this place. (That’s 2 things to do before graduating, but like, it’ll get done).

Any regrets?
Honestly, sorta regret never writing a Spec op-ed about the homophobia I experienced while being a part of Columbia Catholic Ministry circa 2017 OR about how throwing casual island-themed campus community programming that misuses flower lei, grass skirts, and especially the term “Aloha” is not only tacky but also lowkey anti-Native Hawaiian. But hey… you know what… now I have no regrets. Thank you :)

Photo via Athena