Paloma Naderi
Branford, Conn.
Philosophy major
RAMPED UP: PALOMA'S STORY
Paloma doesn't even own a skateboard. She had to borrow one for this photo shoot. But she is so passionate about local youths having a place to do their recreational thing that she interned at the Attleboro/Norton YMCA working with Norton officials, parents and young skaters trying to get a skateboard park built.
ALL ABOARD: "It's not just about skateboarding—it's about providing for the youth of Norton. The bottom line is that the majority of Norton's youth have chosen this as their form of recreation and it's the responsibility of those who can get them a facility to do so."
RIDING HIGH: The philosophy major was well prepared to take on this project that required her to sell her proposal convincingly to multiple stakeholders. "I have worked with professors who have motivated and inspired me to push myself and actualize my potential. My self-confidence has truly taken shape during my time at Wheaton and it definitely took a lot to speak up for what I believed in."
AN AWESOME JOURNEY: "Talking with kids was always uplifting because sometimes you just had to hear ‘that's so awesome you're doing this!' after a long week of no's and ‘I don't know about that.' Those are the times when you know that even though there's so much more to do, the payoff will be worth it."
DOWN TIME: Personally, she prefers books to boards. "During the school year, the most exciting thing that can happen is that I get the opportunity to read for pleasure."