Author Archives: md150084

I used the image of Christopher Columbus discovering the new world because this picture clearly defined my experience here at Baruch. Coming into college is kind of like an adventure your not really sure exactly what to expect, what your professors are going to be like, and if you’ll make any friends. Its a journey that requires courage and patience. Everyday I learned something like what type of services are available at Baruch and where I can find them. Sometimes you make journeys alone at first and later on find people to come with you. During your journey you run through obstacles and find ways to overcome them. This is how my experience at Baruch has been like. It has been a continuous journey of good days and bad days. At first I was lonely and  I wasn’t knowledgeable about my surrounding now I have a few friends and can help direct other on where to find a classroom or professor. Every journey is a lesson and a reward presents itself. If  someone we didn’t take a risk we might not have discovered America or go to the moon. You have to be open to the journey and whatever may come along with it. So far I have had a decent time at Baruch and I’m still open to what this journey has in store for me.

I particularly really enjoyed attending the Voices performance of this year’s semester freshman seminar class. It was really interesting to hear the monologues and opinions of my fellow classmates. In a sense it made me feel as if I was much more closer to my peers. The actors were quite engaging. I learned a lot more about my peers and realized that although we are all different we have much more in common than I thought. Being here at Baruch, commutting  from the bouroughs to school, taking all these credits  sometimes with all the hustle and bustle of being a college student we forget about dealing with our emotions. The monologues gave me a change to express my life and feeling in a nutshell. In class I got to hear my classmates monologues and learned so much more about them. The voices performance exposed me to the immense talent that my freshman class possess. I enjoyed every performance. Some were thought provoking others were completely hysterical. I love acting so I felt right in my element and was impressed how they gave life to words.

My name is Maritza Grace Desroches.  I was born on February 19 1994 which makes me 18 years old. I’m from Uniondale, Long island. Both of my parents are of Haitian descent. I grew up in a very strict traditional Christian household where the only three places I was allowed to go was home, church, and school. Excelling in my studies was a major emphasis it wasn’t often spoken however it was simply an expectation that I didn’t have the option to disregard. My father is an electrical engineer and pastor and my mother is a former nurse. They have been married for over 20 years. I have three older siblings, 2 sisters and a brother. My brother graduated from Five Towns College with a degree in Music Education and my oldest sister graduated from Sophie Davis and is a medical student at Downstate, my other sister is studying to be an educator.

As a child I was extremely shy and sensitive and often teased. When I told my parents they advised me to speak to the principal but I knew that wouldn’t work and I didn’t have the courage to stand up for myself. Once I got to middle school I told myself that I would no longer allow people to make me feel inferior. I became more outspoken, more confident, and more social. Music also helped me become more outgoing. I performed at talent shows and became very likeable throughout middle school and high school. In High school I was involved in numerous activities I was president  of DECA, National Honor Society historian, President of Junior Class, Gospel Choir, Rites of Passage Co-Captain of Flag Team. I travel in business competitions and even won some of them, our music department starred in festivals in Boston, Canada, D.C, and Virginia Beach. I sang solos in many concerts, had lead roles in school plays, worked on community outreach projects and truly enjoyed every ounce of High school. I also had some very amazing friends and unforgettable memories with them.

My dream school was Howard University it had everything that I wanted from an amazing school of business, to the culture, extra circulars, and Greek life.  About two weeks before when I was packed and ready to go my parents told me that I couldn’t go and that they weren’t paying 42,000. I was livid and heart broken. But I couldn’t focus on that major disappointment because I needed to find another option and made a decision to come to Baruch. I don’t have much friends here, I’m not as social, I’m not involved in any extra activity, I haven’t done one musical thing since I’ve been here but I’m optimistic for my future here at Baruch.  I know that everything happens for a reason and I trust that I’m here for a good reason.  I’m doing well in my classes and I know that in due time things will get better and I’ll still be successful regardless of my circumstance.  Outside of school I am a very strong, fun, positive, caring, and virtuous person who enjoys the gift of life. Here is just the beginning and I know that I will take my education here at Baruch and make a major difference in this world someday.

maritza’s playlist

So basically I tried  to develop a playlist that had songs that exudes my perception of life and the things that I value. I decided to start with Jill Scott Golden because the song is a very positive song about simply living a very fulfilling life not letting anything hinder you from enjoying the beauty of life and all it has to offer. Eventhough life sometimes brings us disappointments I think its very important for one to over come those moments and find a way to turn a negative into a positive. I then choose a few song like Unpretty, Video, and take me as I am because we live in a society that puts such an emphasis on the exterior and have a very one minded perception of what beauty should look like and these songs just focus on loving yourself for who you are.These songs are uplifting and thats why I choose them because I personally really had to realize the beauty that lies within me and everyone should. I choose Rhianna We all want love, I absolutely love this song because I think its what makes us  all human the fact that no matter how much we may deny it we all truly want and need to be loved. I choose Ambitious Girl because I am very ambitious  I always aim for great things and a man that can appreciate that is worthwhile. Maxwell is my favorite mail artist If I ever met him I would go crazy and Ascension is one of my favorite songs from him because it just makes me feel really good inside. I have kind of an old song and I want this song to be played at my wedding. “I am changing” is a song from  Dream Girls a play I did in high school where I was Effie and  I really identified with the song because I believe in life you should always be constantly evolving as you get older you should aim to be wiser and a better you. Blessed and Highly Favored represents my spirituality I’m a Christian and my religion is very important to me without God I couldn’t have accomplished anything. The last song is called are you ready and its not in English because its a song that pays homage to my Haitian roots. They have to play this song at ll the parties because its energetic and fun like the Haitian culture.