Dear Debora from 2025…at the beginning of your second semester as a senior at Smith College, you were probably wondering: Where will I end up after I graduate? What do I want to do? What do I love? What am I passionate about? What am I willing to give my time to?

At the time, I found myself looking through my old high school email and found information about the FAO Schwarz Fellowship. It was sent to me by a mentor of mine from high school. I read the description, saw iMentor listed as a host organization, and instantly applied.

As the application process progressed, every email with updates about the Fellowship made me feel even more nervous. But all of the interviews I did made me realize something I hadn’t really seen before: I actually have pretty great skills. I just needed to be more open about them and believe in them.

Then, I received the offer email. For maybe the third or fourth time in my life, I was completely speechless. 

Well… probably top five!

Now, fast forward to June of 2026, after finishing my first full school year at New York City public high schools as a Fellow at iMentor, I can honestly say I’m feeling bittersweet.

These last few weeks have been filled with wrapping up the school year and attending iMentor end-of-year events, where students and mentors get to connect, celebrate, and have fun together.

Since I work across three different schools, and for both 11th and 12th graders, I’ve the honor of being at majority of these events. Every single one was filled with so much joy, laughter, and, of course, some sadness—especially for the 12th graders, who are about to start a completely new chapter of their lives. Hearing the seniors and mentors share words to each other made me realize that this is what it’s all about:

It’s waking up at 7AM, getting ready to head to school. It’s staying until 3PM, and sometimes even 8PM.

It’s hearing:“Miss, where have you been?”

“Miss, can you help me with this assignment?”

"Miss, what is my grade?” or even

“Miss, can I use the bathroom?”

I’ve grown used to the “Miss” role. It stopped being just a title, but a part of my identity. When I heard a few seniors call me “Miss” for what could be the last time, it truly hit me.I’m so incredibly proud of every single one of them and their growth.

Some of them are scared, especially because many are first-generation college students. However, I have no doubt in their abilities and I know many will do great things in any pathway they choose.

This is what it means to work in social impact. It’s seeing the impact you make—not just hearing about it from someone else, but actually witnessing it yourself. Watching students grow. Watching mentors show up. Watching relationships that started with two strangers become something so meaningful. And while it isn’t easy work, it is deeply important work

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