The most interesting adventures of Brian Barr

It’s been one heck of a semester. I’ve learned a lot. About my academics, about myself, about life in general. There have been many things to make that process easier, and many things to complicate it further. My LC has been a great group of friends and peers helping me study, explore, and enjoy the city. They have helped me make life choices and motivated me to be better.

I’ve had a pretty good experience with professors; they’ve been friendly, helpful, and supportive and I see my degree coming together. Perhaps a finance degree with a minor in Anthropology?

I’ve used the Writing Center to help me with english, as well as a friend back from high school to work on my writing, and I’ve been able to use the library’s database system to do research.

As many people know, I’ve joined the radio station and have been practicing my DJing for them. They also offered me a job in the production department where I can hone my technical skills. Being surrounded by so many people with a passion for music as inspired me to go back and continue teach myself piano. I’m not going to forget about school, but I remember what it is I want to do with my life.

In 3 years I’ll be finishing up my college degree, and I’ll probably working full time with a start-up I haven’t even heard of yet and working part time as a music producer and DJ.

Servicing your community is when you use your talents to better the lives of the people around you. We are all members of many communities and we should do our best to make them as amazing as we can.

We can all do something. As a Baruch Scholar it is my responsibility to make the community that is our school and the community that is our city, our home.

It means more then volunteering a few hours here and there. It means living your life to better the lives of everyone. It means being a good citizen day to day and playing fair.

I will strive to achieve this by always helping my fellow classmates, and volunteering at various events both in and outside of school.

I think the culture in the Baruch Honors program is one of completely committing to service. Not just our 15 hours, its about actively seeking out opportunities and taking initiative to make it happen. We can all serve an hour here or there, even just by doing small things like saying hello to the man selling fruit on the way to school or giving up your seat for the women that just got on the train.

Baruch Scholars are also called to be leaders. Primus inter pares, first among equals; we are meant to lead, but not for recognition or reward, we are called to lead to help others.

“We are only as great as those we bring to greatness with us”

Who am I? Where am I from?

Well as you may have heard, I grew up on a farm. Just Kidding. But, I lived a few blocks from a farm most of my life; the closest movie theater was a 30 minute drive, Applebee’s was 20. I didn’t actually mind that lifestyle much though, I got really involved in everything. Yeah, I was that kid in high school. Eagle Scout, FBLA President, Mock Trial Co-Chair, Econ Challenge, etc. I was even a member of the town’s Borough Council.

Some things I’ve done that made me who I am:

• Staffed and eventually directed the Youth Leadership Training Program (teaching hundreds of kids the skills to be strong leaders).
• Travel: Greece, Italy, France, Road-trip to the Gulf of Mexico, alone to Chicago, alone to Orlando.
• Hiked 96 miles across the Appalachian Mountains.
• Eagle Scout, scouting in general
• Started a music production company with hometown friends (since left, but they’re doing alright)
• Moved to New York City!!!

My experiences have taught me many things. Work hard and play hard, because life is short. Keep a positive attitude, and go out of your way to help people, and good things will happen to you. In addition I have learned and reflected upon the words I have been taught to live by–Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean & Reverent.

I expect college to be an exciting adventure. I expect to learn new things I can’t imagine. I expect explore the city that I now call home. I want to break into the world of music and art that this metropolis has to offer.

The only real concerns I have is that I won’t have enough time to do everything I want to do & that the exams are going to be completely different than I expect; but I’m not actually that concerned.

Let’s just rock this city class of 2016!