Noah Spicer Blog

Senioritis during the Coronavirus
June 1, 2020

One of the clearest memories I have from my senior year was when I found out classes were turning virtual, and I would not be able to walk across the stage in May. I was enjoying my Spring Break and thinking about how I was headed towards the end of my college career. Over the next month and a half, I was going to experience my last day of class in undergrad, my last debate round after an eight-year career, and my last late-night IHOP adventure with my friends. I was conflicted with sadness about transitioning out what had been the best four years of my life and the excitement of a new city, new job, and new people. But once I saw the notification of transitioning into online classes scroll across my screen, everything changed. Suddenly all the mental preparation for my "last" experiences went out of the window because they already happened. Every piece of normalcy in life had collapsed unto itself. Going to class, spending time with friends, and traveling across the United States to compete against the brightest minds to debate turned into a life of social distancing and quarantine.

After the announcement, I quickly made plans to return home to Colorado, I was home within 24 hours and away from everyone and everything I had grown to love. I was forced to adjust to a new reality that seemed to leave me dissatisfied and discontent at every corner. Learning through a webcam was impersonal and distant. Professors seemed to be piling on mounds of work to my plate, and I forgot I had a support system to deal with this new reality. I did not have the energy to be in class, and let alone do work, every assignment was a nuisance, and I did not know how to get out of this rut. I could not get out of my own head because the light at the end of the tunnel was so clouded. I wasn't able to cope with what felt like an incomplete way to experience senior year.  

In my head, I struggled to reconcile how I expected things to turn out, with how they actually went. Many seniors in high school and college experience senioritis, wherein they feel a steep drop in their motivation as a result of being at the end of their academic career. When people are accepted into prestigious graduate programs or receive job offers to Fortune 500 companies, it's hard to stay in the moment even under normal circumstances. Under a quarantine, all of those emotions amplified, and I didn't know what to do. However, through all of this emotional turmoil, two people that made me feel better and remind me that I wasn't alone. I spoke to Kato and Jessie, my mentors, through Law School Yes, We Can. They took time out of their busy schedules to check in with me because, on a human level, they knew that is a difficult time for anyone but especially their college senior. I didn't know how to talk about what I was feeling, but a simple "how are you doing?" reminded me how much love and support I have in my life. 

I carry a strong and deep-rooted belief that everything happens for a reason, I might not know now, but there is a reason for it. Coming home and seeing my mom and brother, taking time to find my passion, and enjoying the Colorado weather have been all positives of this experience. When things look grim, and it can be hard to find a positive, sometimes we can get too caught up in the bad which drowns out the good. I forgot to keep myself grounded and I am fortunate to have people in my life like Jessie and Kato who can help to recenter me. Eventually, things will get back to normal, I'll complete my coursework, and start my new job with Goldman Sachs there is a life after the pandemic, and I have to remember that. I could have never predicted that this is how my college career would finish. Still, I will never forget the memories I made, and I won't let senioritis, or the pandemic dampen my mood. 

The Gift of Passion
July 2, 2019

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of representing Morehouse College at the Pan American Universities Debating Championship. I competed against college students across the Americas in British Parliamentary debate and participated in the championship round. Since joining my college's debate team this past fall, I have been to seven states I had never seen before and traveled to two countries (Panama and South Africa). I have made lasting relationships not only within my own team but people from around the country and world. 

Doing debate is truly a passion of mine, that goes all the way back to high school.  The intensive research, the late-night practices, extended time away from home, all of it inspired me and instilled a thirst for knowledge that still carries to this day. However, heading into my first year of college, I made the decision to forgo participating in debate. I choose to prioritize mastering my classes, stepping out of my comfort zone by pursuing activities I otherwise wouldn't, and most importantly I made friends. All of these other pursuits helped to make me a more well-rounded individual who became more balanced with enjoying school, but also my social life.

While I did make tremendous strides when it came to developing my personal and social skills, I missed debating. I missed the intellectual challenge, the comradery of being on a team, I missed doing what I love. I knew that I wanted to join the debate team, but I needed to confer with people who I trusted. I reached out to my Law School Yes We Can (LSYWC) mentorship team. Notably Jesse Brown and Kato Crews who have been instrumental in helping me navigate what is a critical year for me. Both of them have been there to listen to my concerns and reassure me that I am on the right path. When I spoke to both of them about the idea of joining the debate team, they were both enthusiastic about me rediscovering a passion, and of course, gave me the cautionary warning about not falling behind in classes.  All in all, they were able to relate to me on a personal level, which is why I am so fortunate to have them as mentors on my journey.

Since joining the debate team, I have made even more lasting friendships with people not only from my school but at places like Cornell and Harvard as well as around the world. My cultural and intellectual horizons have expanded, not only through travel but through the intense and complex debates about issues that affect people across the globe. Doing what you are passionate it about is a privilege, not everyone can do what they love, and this experience has taught me that every moment we get to pursue our passion is worthwhile. The debate team has knocked the rust off of some of the skills I had developed previously and made me even more excited about attending law school and pursuing more of my passions. I cannot say I would have made that decision without the support of my mentorship team, which is why I am so grateful to have them in my life. Even if Jesse is a Thunders fan :).

“Sí, Se Puede” is a phrase born of farmworkers, who, under the leadership of the UFW, César Chávez, and Dolores Huerta, fought valiantly for equal protection under the law. As a result of the efforts of the UFW, “Sí, Se Puede” has become well known as a call that engenders hope and inspiration in those who face similar battles. We thank the UFW, whom we acknowledge to be the sole and exclusive owner of the Trademark SI SE PUEDE, for granting us a limited license to use“Sí, Se Puede” in connection with our efforts to recruit, in Colorado, students of Hispanic or Latino descent for our law school pipeline program. For more information about the programs offered by the UFW, please see UFW’s webpage (www.ufw.org); UFW Foundation’s webpage (www.ufwfoundation.org); and UFWF’s immigration services webpage (www.sisepuede.org)