EVERETT STUDENTS'

WORDS OF WISDOM 2021

Messages from 2021 students for the future Everett students
and anyone planning collaborative projects

  • Communication is key! Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teammates and staff, they are there to support you.

  • Change is inevitable and important, always keep your mind open to new and great things

  • Your worth is so much greater than you think

Aneliz Moreno Graff

  • Things will always change; adapt and continue!

  • Communication is the most important part of teamwork

  • Trust yourself and your team, you’re capable of more than you think


Phoenix Jarrell-Desch

  • In the end, it is YOU that will make this project a reality.

  • Dedication and motivation go hand in hand. You cannot dedicate yourself without the motivation to do so, just as much as you cannot motivate yourself without becoming dedicated.

  • It’s not a matter of just thinking, it is a matter of doing and developing yourself in the process.

Moises Tenorio Garcia

  • When things seem hopeless and it seems all motivation is lost, remember why you started this in the first place and go from there

  • It’s obvious in the work when passion isn’t a key component. If you’re not passionate about your work, then change it so that you are. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time

  • Asking for help doesn’t make you a failure, it makes you someone that knows how to succeed


Karina Diaz Alvarez :)

  • Communication is really valuable when it comes to working with others and creating a strong team. Communication is not just about speaking up but taking the time to listen to others.

  • Be confident in yourself and your abilities, your opinions, and contributions matter. Have faith in yourself.

  • Don’t worry about failure, you tend to learn the most about yourself when you overcome failures in life.

Josh Glasberg

  • Keep the main thing the main thing. Remember why you are here and keep your heart and mind set on social change.

  • Have fun!

  • You will surprise yourself with how much you can actually do. Don’t be afraid of the challenge. Take it day by day.



Brittany Marshall

  • Say yes to as many opportunities as you have the capacity for. Follow your passions and you never know what will happen.

  • Get your mind away from the success/failure binary. This experience isn’t about doing good or bad, it’s about learning, growing, and building community. You can have good and bad moments along the way, but they don’t define the journey.

  • Separate your work into manageable pieces. It’s much easier to get started on something small.



Phoenix Woodall

  • Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, so don’t be afraid to fail. Remember, no one is an expert when they’re first getting started.

  • Follow your passions. Listen to your heart. Trust the process. Live to learn and never give up because your dreams matter and life is too short to give up on the things that matter.

  • When you are feeling overwhelmed, consider taking some time to write down how you feel and why you are feeling that way. You might discover a thing or two about yourself and maybe even find a solution to the problem(s) you are having.

Marlon Monge

  • Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts

  • Confidence is key, if you don't have it take it!

  • You didn't come this far to only come this far.

Elias 2k21

  • Failure is not horrible, it is an acceptable thing. And it always appears before the success.

  • Don’t stop until you are proud.

  • Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.

Lily Li

  • Build a strong relationship with your partner organization and group. Reflect on how and why you are doing what you are doing on a collective and personal level.

  • Take constructive criticism with gratitude. It is only going to help you improve your skills and projects. Yet, allow yourself to have judgement on what criticism you act on; at the end of the day, you and your team will know what is best suited for your situation (believe in your ideas!)

  • Be patient and open with yourself and with your group. Don’t assume, ask your team members if they have concerns, ideas, are stressed, etc. Talk everything out and make sure everyone is on the same page in order for things to go smoothly. Don’t beat yourself up, it is important to recognize your work, feelings, and anxieties. Be your best critic–keep yourself in check but honor yourself when needed.


Sereena Yeghiazarian

  • Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small because your hard work made that happen.

  • No one accomplishes great things alone, so don't be afraid to ask for help, collaborate, and share your ideas.

  • Safety is boring; step outside your comfort zone and experience new things because you may just discover a new side of yourself.

  • Failures are your stepping stones to success so take them as opportunities to grow and be kind to yourself along your journey. Treat yourself with kindness the way you would treat others; forgive yourself and allow yourself to fail because success is behind the corner.

  • You started this journey, have the courage and the adventure to see it through.


Diana Carranza

  • Everything will fall into place with your project! Don’t get discouraged if there is a bump in the road

  • Don’t be scared to make mistakes, we all make them! What matters is how we recover from them (:

  • It’s okay to ask for help! Asking for help doesn’t equal weakness. You got this (:

Andrea Lopez

  • You get out what you put in so don’t half-ass it. Make sure to foster and build as many connections as you can and communicate!

  • Never stop pushing yourself to be better and don’t let setback or “failure” deter you from finishing what you started.

  • Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and lean on others when you need it.

Isabelle Aguirre

  • Keep trying! Even if you make a mistake you can always find something to learn from it. Be proud of all your accomplishments, even if they seem small. You’re capable of so much more than you know!

  • Speak up if you need help or support! Everyone in the program is here to help and will be more than happy to support you in anything you need.

  • Build community with your team members, the Everett staff, and other students! College is so much easier and much more fun when you have a community to rely on!

Milo Santamaria

  • It’s important to practice patience and understanding when working in a group setting. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and work ethics so it’ll take time before you figure out the best dynamic for your team.

  • Open communication is key with your team and project partners. Building trust within your project is vital so you can be proud of the output your team creates.

  • Be as creative as you wish, I found that I am most motivated when I get to show off my strengths and talents.

  • Push yourself out of your comfort zone, you might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish!


Jordan Noelte

  • Don’t get discouraged when you feel incompetent at a new skill. You have to produce a lot of bad work before you can start producing good work.

  • Once you actually start a scary task, the rest of it will start to feel less scary.

  • Ask questions when you’re confused, speak up if you disagree, and lend your opinion to the discussion. But getting used to doing that also means getting used to others doing the same to you!

Joss Borys

    • You are only as alone as you make yourself feel (in the program!)

    • Finding one personal incentive (even if it’s a useless one) to do better at something is a good way to learn a skill.

    • It is okay if you don’t know what exactly you want to do in college, work, or life. If you live your days according to your genuine values, it’s hard to regret the path you pave for yourself- even if it’s not the one you first imagined.


Suzuka Shinohara

  • Be ready to be an independent worker.

  • Reach out to other students when you need help or advice

  • Take credit for the work you have done, be proud of it!

Chelsea Contreras-Valencia

  • Take things day by day, and do a little bit of work on your project everyday. It will help you get things done efficiently.

  • Ask for help If you need It!!

  • Be prepared for any last-minute changes, but don't forget to have fun and enjoy the work you're doing!

Neguin Anvari

  • It’s okay to reassess and change project plans! Being realistic with one’s limits and knowing when it’s time to pivot and finish is actually a really strong skill.

  • Just get started! Excessive planning and research will slow you down. You learn a lot more from the hands-on process of trial and error.

  • Be compassionate. Prioritize yours and your teammates’ feelings and concerns. There is nothing more important than your health.


Margarida Costa

  • Always reach out for support. No one will know you are in need of this unless you voice your need for support and help.

  • If working on an international project always be mindful of the differences in culture, religion, and issues happening there. Remember to show empathy & kindness when working with people of different backgrounds.

  • Have an open mind when coming into a project as plans may change and that's okay! Stick to your deadlines as well so that you don't feel overwhelmed with so much work, this is one thing I learned the hard way.

  • Build relationships between your peers but mostly with your team. Your team will become your support system and the people you will remain tied to for years to come because of the bond that was built.

Amy Cruz 💚

  • Work collaboratively with your teammates throughout the project.

  • Maintain good communications with your teammates throughout the project.

  • Don't be afraid of pivot and change your project plan when it isn't working!


Edward Estrada