Ian Gachunga, a graduate from the Brooks Class of 2016, is our Grad of the Month for October! Ian is a proud Nativity graduate and has a lot of good advice for our younger students. Read up on him below!
Where did you graduate from high school?
Worcester Academy
Whether you recently graduated or some time has passed, how does it feel to be a Nativity grad?
It feels great and I am honored to call myself a Nativity grad. I’m immensely grateful for all I was able to learn while at Nativity and then transfer those skills to the real world. Some of my classmates and peers at nativity are some of my closest friends to this day and we still reminisce on old times. Nativity really helped me hone in on self confidence, kindness and sincerity to all.
Where are you going to school? What is the best thing about attending that school?
I recently graduated from Brandeis University with a bachelors in science in Health, Science, Society and Policy and am attending Northeastern University’s Accelerated Bachelors of Science Program in the Spring! The best thing about having attended Brandeis was the community, I found friends there from all over the world who helped me to gain confidence in expressing my opinion and excelling in higher learning. I now currently work at Umass Memorial as a patient care technician where I am blessed to interact with patients on a daily basis helping to take care of their needs while aiding the nurses in any way possible. My favorite aspect of this job is talking to the nurses and patients, they tend to be far older than me so they’re always dropping gems whether it be great wisdom, advice or funny stories to share.
What did Nativity mean to you when you went here? What does it mean to you now?
When I was there Nativity was a place that I knew I could fulfill my dreams if I was given a chance. Now this is a place that I hold close to my heart for the memories and the advice I was given there. Nativity was the first academic program I ever got into and it showed me that people outside of my family believed in me and it’s something I hold close to whenever I get this sense of imposter syndrome or doubt whether it’s in my academic, physical or personal pursuits. Nativity instilled in me the idea that I am not alone and I can always grow to be someone better than I once was.
What is your favorite Nativity memory?
Either Tahjeek breaking the stage during rehearsal for the winter showcase or going white water rafting and coming back to the cabins to see the 2016 FIFA World Cup on the TVs.
What are your goals, dreams and aspirations? Any accomplishments that you’d like to share?
My goal is to help and gain perspective from people in any way so I decided to pursue nursing so I can help the patients I serve rehabilitate and gain sustainable habits and confidence in their recovery from ailments and injury. I’ve been lucky enough to study abroad in countries like Mexico and Cuba and visit my family back in Kenya and going to all of these places served as a reminder of the opportunity I’ve been given receiving education in this country. I would like to pass down what I’ve learnt through my work as a Registered Nurse by interacting with patients and coworkers from various backgrounds providing holistic and equitable care that makes people feel listened to and properly served.
What advice would you give to younger Nativity students?
Hold true to your identity and know that your story matters, you’re not here to be anyone else but yourself. Your worth is not determined by productivity levels but it’s determined by the consistency of your actions no matter how small. Keep family first and keep striving and going for what’s near and dear to your heart I believe in you all!
Thank you, Ian, and congrats on being our October Grad of the Month!