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For Abby Arena ��򽴫ý�25, a fourth-year art major with a history minor, it��򽴫ý�s the people she��򽴫ý�s met and the communities she��򽴫ý�s been part of that have made the biggest impact during her time at Pace.

Abby never had an interest in working with children. ��򽴫ý�It wasn��򽴫ý�t my typical area,��򽴫ý� she admits. But part of the requirement for her peace and justice studies class was civic engagement hours, and when her friends chose a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that provides free community activities for children of all ages, she decided to give it a shot. ��򽴫ý�It just sounded like a fun experience.��򽴫ý�

Take advantage of everything that is presented to you.

Her experience volunteering with POW��򽴫ý�which creates a space where neurodivergent and neurotypical children come together through dance, music, art, play, and more��򽴫ý�has become a surprising highlight of Abby's Pace journey. She described the work as fun and engaging, and yet could clearly see the huge impact for the children and families. ��򽴫ý�Families with neurodivergent children sometimes have limited resources, so finding a free, local program where the kids could enjoy themselves was great,��򽴫ý� she says.

Though volunteering with children was outside her usual comfort zone, Abby embraced the challenge. ��򽴫ý�It was a good experience to get into an environment that was so different from anything I was used to,��򽴫ý� she said. ��򽴫ý�It didn��򽴫ý�t feel like a requirement.��򽴫ý� Though she��򽴫ý�d never considered working with children, she now wants to continue supporting POW��򽴫ý�s mission in the future. ��򽴫ý�I��򽴫ý�d love to go back once my schedule allows it.��򽴫ý�

POW stands for Power of We, the concept of togetherness promoted by The Power of We resonates with Abby deeply. She credits the relationships she��򽴫ý�s built and the people she��򽴫ý�s met as the most impactful part of her time at Pace. Abby observes, ��򽴫ý�Pace really does have a diversity of interests that has brought together the people that are now the most important to me.��򽴫ý�

Pace really does have a diversity of interests that has brought together the people that are now the most important to me.

As the 2024��򽴫ý�2025 school year begins, Abby advises first-year students to embrace every opportunity. ��򽴫ý�Taking advantage of any resources you can is important, even if they seem daunting,��򽴫ý� she says. She also highlights the value of strong relationships: ��򽴫ý�Professors should be seen as mentors and resources. They��򽴫ý�re more than willing to help outside of class.��򽴫ý�

And of course, she stresses not to overlook experiences like civic engagement hours, which, for Abby, opened doors she never expected, like her work with POW. ��򽴫ý�Take advantage of everything that is presented to you. Even if it seems like too much, or something that's just not for you,��򽴫ý� she says. ��򽴫ý�There��򽴫ý�s never going to be any downside in trying something out.��򽴫ý�

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