Title: "A New York University Story"
Description: I wrote this for my hometown newspaper during my freshman year of college. It ran the week
I came home for Winter break and was on the front page with a HUGE picture of me in the mascot suit.
Date written: Fall 2000
My story begins back when I was a freshman in high school. I was so in love with New York City, and it was about the time
when Mr. Vanderheiden was stirring college curiosity in all of us, especially me. I started searching for schools in New
York City, not really being truly serious about it at the time. I wanted to go to an ‘academic’ school, as well as one in
the city. My search ended when I found ‘New York University’ one day in the computer lab. Ever since that day I have been
pretty much just dreaming about being able to attend such a prestigious university. There were so many factors holding me
back. I didn’t think my grades were good enough. I knew I didn’t have the money for such a school. Also, I am so attached
to my family and friends. Even though I knew all this, I still pursued my dream. Well, my senior year came. I filled out
my NYU application, and waited to hear a response. I finally got an envelope in the mail December 21, 1999. I was so
scared to open it. My whole future depended on what was written on the piece of paper contained inside. I finally built
the courage up to open it. The first word on the paper was ‘congratulations’. I couldn’t hold back the tears. Everything
I had worked so hard for, all my dreams, it all just seemed to illuminate itself in that one second. I had never been so
proud of myself. The rest of the school year zoomed by, as well as the summer.
The day came when I had to leave. I was sad, but it hadn’t really hit me yet that I was leaving everything and everyone I
knew behind me. I said goodbye to all my family and friends, then my mom, Duane, and I headed out towards the big apple.
A very long three days later we were there! I met my roommates, Nancy Noto (from Florida) and Tiffanie Cohn (from New
Jersey), as well as their parents. We all hit it off really well, and I couldn’t wait for my freshman year to officially
start. My parents left a few days later. That was so hard! We were all crying! Finally, though, I was on my own, without
a single person I’d known longer than two days. I felt so independent and free. I went through orientation, signed up for
classes, and began my first year. Being all alone didn’t really affect me for a few weeks. Then all of sudden it seemed
like I didn’t have anyone! There were so many moments that I would just curl up on my bed and cry into my pillow. I was
so homesick! I missed my family and friends SO much, as well as my little dog Scooby! There were so many things I took
for granted! I wanted my mom so bad! I kept going though, and I engaged myself with many activities to keep my mind off
my loneliness.
I started to make friends once I got out a little. I joined an intramural volleyball team, I became the mascot for NYU, I
took in a few movies, I got a job, and I, of course, partook in the ‘occasional’ fraternity party. I got picked on about
the way I talk! One thing that I got teased about all the time is how I say ‘pop’. Well, it is called ‘soda’ here! That
is just one thing that I had to change about my vocabulary!
My volleyball team has several nice bonuses. First of all, it is a guys’ team. They needed a girl since one team cannot be
completely one sex. It’s not just a guys’ team, it is a ‘fraternity’ guys’ team, and I’m the youngest member of the team.
I feel very special. Every match we’ve had so far we’ve won! My job is very rewarding. I work for a tutoring program
known as America Reads/Counts. I have been placed into a middle school where I work with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I
really love it! The kids are so wonderful. Despite everything else I am involved in, I have to say that being the mascot
here is the thing I LOVE the most! The mascot is a bobcat, even though we are the NYU Violets. A bobcat is more aggressive
than someone dressing up like a purple flower! There are a few other mascots, since one person couldn’t possibly be
available for all the NYU events, as well as outside events. Being the mascot helps beat my shyness with strangers. No
one knows it’s me, so I can pick on anyone I want, even if it is only hot guys! I’m not implying that I only pay attention
to cute guys, but they sure do get most of my attention!
I have a new roommate now. Her name is Asha Veal from Sacramento, CA. My other roommate, Tiffanie, had to take the rest
of the semester off due to sickness. We were really attached, so it was hard to let Tiffanie go!
I have had a few visitors since I decided to leave good ol’ Iowa. My mom, aunt Bonnie, cousin Eric, and grandma Charlotte
flew out for Parents’ Weekend. It was so wonderful having them here. I really didn’t know how much my family means to me
until they weren’t around! When my family arrived at LaGuardia Airport I nearly exploded with happiness. I took them all
over the city to see a few tourist attractions from Central Park to Times Square. It was hard to let them go...again! A
few tears were shed!
Also for my birthday, three of my closest friends from Maryville, Missouri flew in to New York City to spend the weekend
with me. I missed them so much! I took them to a club called Tunnel. I think a couple of them were sort of scared from
all the freaky New Yorkers, but it was still a blast. They had never been to New York before, so it was quite an adventure
for all of us!
I wasn’t able to come home for Thanksgiving. My roommate, Asha, stayed as well, so a group of us decided to go to the
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The week of Thanksgiving was the coldest week for New York City so far, so you can imagine
how cold it was. We wanted a good viewing spot, so we determined that it would be best to just ‘camp out’ on the street
that night. I bundled up in about 5 layers of clothing before we headed out for one the most painful nights of my life.
It didn’t really get cold until about 7 in the morning. The parade didn’t start until 9, but it wouldn’t pass by where we
were standing until about 10! So, by the time we saw the first float, I was ready to go home! I have never been so cold
in my entire life! I couldn’t walk comfortably until the next afternoon. My feet had gotten so cold! The parade ended at
noon, and I’m never going to do something like that again when it is that cold!
After all the times of being lonely, I have discovered that I genuinely love New York City. It was my dream to be here,
and I’m finally here! I love my family and friends very much, but I know that New York is the place for me. I get along
so well with my roommates. I couldn’t imagine college life without Nancy and Asha! I’m so glad that I had so much support
from my family, especially my mom and my grandparents. I owe all that I am to my mom and my grandma. They are the two
most important women in my life!
It is almost Christmas time, which means that I get to come home! I am so excited to see everyone! I still get lonely
from time to time, so if anyone ever wants to drop me a letter (hint, hint, x-mas card) or an email, both addresses are
below! I would love to hear from anyone familiar! Well, I’ll see you all December 22! Until then, take care!
Sincerely yours,
Tonya Marie Fleetwood
33 Washington Square West, Room #716A
New York, New York 10011
EMAIL: tmf222@nyu.edu
