Ariana D.
Photography by Alyse Stauffer
Dear Reader,
Ariana’s letter discusses gun violence and the tragic event of a school shooting. We advise those who may be triggered by these topics to exercise caution while reading. Please refer to our Resources Page if needed.
Sincerely, The NYU IfYoureReadingThis Team
If you’re reading this, you have a voice—a powerful, unique voice that has the potential to make a difference.
My decision to attend New York University was far from easy. I come from Uvalde, a small town in Texas, and moving to a city as big and far away as New York meant leaving the familiar behind. I knew I’d miss my family deeply, and the thought of navigating such a huge city was intimidating. However, one of my biggest motivators was the hope to inspire the children back home. I wanted to show them that they, too, could reach beyond the limits of what they’ve known and pursue their dreams, no matter where those dreams might take them.
At my high school, we had a tradition where the graduating seniors would walk the hallways of our old elementary schools a few days before we walked the stage. It was a chance to reflect on how far we’d come and to revisit where our journeys began. When we entered Robb Elementary, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia, remembering my own days there as a fourth-grader. We were greeted with smiles and excitement from the young students, and I even got to see some of the teachers I’d always looked up to. At that moment, everything felt hopeful, and all I could think about was how these were the very children I wanted to inspire. It was one of the happiest moments, filled with pride and anticipation for what lay ahead for them, and I hoped that, in some way, the journey that I was set to embark on would encourage them to dream big and believe in what they could achieve.
The next day, those same children who had greeted us with such joy and excitement lost the chance to do anything more. A mass shooting took their lives—19 students and 2 teachers, all of whom I had just seen, smiling and laughing, the day before. In an instant, my perspective on everything changed. The joy and hope I’d felt walking through those hallways turned to a consuming rage and grief. I couldn’t believe this had happened, that those young lives had been stolen so brutally. Part of me wanted to stay, to try to make sense of it or to help somehow, but nothing felt real anymore. It was as if my hometown had been hollowed out, and suddenly I felt the weight of using my voice, of standing up for what mattered, felt more urgent than ever.
In the months that followed, I discovered so much about myself and my drive to make a difference. It has now been two years since tragedy struck, and in that time, my voice has only grown louder. Moving to New York became more than just my dream; it became a responsibility. I came here with a purpose: to speak up for what I believe in, to advocate for the changes I am passionate about, and to show others—especially those from my hometown—that their voice matters too. If you’re reading this and feel powerless, know that you are extremely powerful. Voting is one way that I will continue to honor my commitment for the rest of my life.
Ariana D., New York University
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