First Year Proves Unforgettable for Two Members of the Class of 2023

Fun. Exciting. Amazing. That’s how Tre’vonnte Holmes describes his first year at St. John Fisher College. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Holmes came to campus to pursue a degree in sport management. Along the way, he has engaged in some of Fisher’s best traditions and carved out his very own study space in Lavery Library.

“Before we had to leave due to the Coronavirus outbreak, my time at Fisher gave me the opportunity to meet amazing people, explore Rochester, and share memories with friends that I’ll have for years to come,” he says.

Holmes says you’ll likely find him on the third floor of Lavery Library studying for classes. Among his favorites is Dr. Robert Ruehl’s philosophy learning community.

“As a class, we discussed current events and we reflected on our time living on this earth,” he explains. “I learned a lot about myself and about bettering myself.”

Holmes also joined the Teddi Dance for Love committee, helping to raise more than $100,000 for Camp Good Days and Special Times.

“Participating in this event was nothing short of fantastic. While staying up for 24 hours proved to be difficult, it was all worth it because I got a chance to meet the kids and share memories with them as well,” he says.

Fellow Class of 2023 member Amanda Cahill also joined the Teddi committee. Working with the registration team, she enjoyed spending the fall and spring semesters preparing for the dance-a-thon.

“Being able to have had the experience of being a part of the club as well as staying the whole 24 hours at the dance felt like a great accomplishment,” she says. “Being able to do something fun with all my friends, for a good cause made the experience very enjoyable and rewarding.”

Cahill also joined the Student Alumni Association and serves as a student ambassador. A native of Greece, New York, she is majoring in nursing. Courses in ethics and psychology have expanded her understanding of issues happening in the world today.

“There are so many ways in which we live our life and, in this course, I learned about how different theorists feel we should go about living our lives, which ways make one achieve greatest goodness, and why we do certain things,” she explains. “The course made me think about different problems going on in the world today, how I can help, and the person I want to be.”

Though the transition from on-campus to online learning due to COVID-19 was rapid, Cahill said her professors made the process smooth and provided the support she needed to be successful in her studies.  And, while the first year of college offered its own set of challenges, she says the College has guided her in the direction to conquer them, while broadening her horizons.

“Making new friends, getting to know new people, living on my own, and taking classes that interest me have all made the start to my Fisher journey very exciting,” she says. “And, just in this short time at Fisher, all the work I have done feels rewarding. My knowledge has grown tremendously just within a year and it makes me excited for the years to come.”