Nikeya Tankard - Connecticut College
2025
As spring approaches and the sun shows, I reflect on all the warm moments I’ve experienced this past year, no matter the time, place, or season. A huge highlight was my study abroad trip this summer to Latvia. Along with my professors and fellow students, we learned about journalism, AI, linguistics and historical occupation through excursions and keynote speakers. But beyond the classroom, I learned the priceless value of participating in another culture. I still think about the bus rides, strolls though Victory Park, and the hearty meat-and-grain meals! Though I was sad to leave Latvia, I was eager to get back to New London. My first semester at Connecticut College called for reflection, assessment, diversion and faith. While I started out my collegiate career in Government and English pursuing a career in journalism, I am now a declared Art major, pursuing graphic design. Where journalism taught me to see, art had always taught me to create. As I continue on as an artist pursuing my degree, I hope to engage critically with design’s role in culture and politics and develop the technical, conceptual and artistic knowledge and skills to shape how stories are told in the world around me. A defining project has been my independently created magazine, GLEEK Magazine. Beginning in early 2025, inspired by a magazine I’d picked up in Estonia, I wanted to create something for Gen-Z, by Gen-Z, exploring current trends, aesthetics and phenomena with artistry, history and integrity. I wanted to make something resonant and impactful, while working on my skills alongside other artists of the same passions and inspirations, offering a place for free expression and artistry. 150 pages later, I am so excited to release it in March of this year! The island and its strong, resilient community and support is the reason I’ve been able to do all I have this year, and I give my greatest thanks to Martha’s Vineyard and the MVYouth organization for all it has allowed for me to do, see, create and pay forward.
2024
Though I went into college thinking I would study English and Government, a great class taught me more than Government or Politics — It taught me that my desires for advocacy and engagement might be suited better within other frames and areas. I finished off the semester with a 3.75 GPA and excelled in classes American Studies, a more interdisciplinary examination of our American society through writing, art, music and media, and Fundamentals in two dimensions, a foundational yet challenging 2D art class. So, for now, I’m thinking of majoring in English and Art in hopes of going into the Creative Directing or Design fields. I also found great joy in dancing, an activity I never thought I’d indulge in again since covid, despite my 10 years of experience prior at our very own Rise VPA. At Conn I am in Dance Club and I regularly participate in other student performances. I have two coming up this semester, so please wish me luck! Other than dance I enjoy tasty morning matcha lattes at our many amazing student-run coffee shops on campus, afternoons on the green in between classes on those few sunny days we had this season, and study sessions with music, tea, and a lot of chatter in my room as the sun sets for the day. Despite my previous mindset based in predictability, planning, and order, I have learned over these past months to revel in the unknown. Rather than trying to plan out the rest of my life, I am enjoying taking it one step at a time as things more naturally progress. Some opportunities I look forward to for the near future are Conn’s study-away opportunities and expanding my job experience this Summer. All in all, I am so excited to indulge deeper into the range of areas Conn has to offer, and share my new skills and passions when I get back home all thanks to the great support and generosity of the Martha's Vineyard community and the MVYouth scholarship program!