By Lauren Mar ’25
When the Scripps campus reopened its doors post-shutdown in August 2021, it welcomed the bright-eyed class of 2025. While the facilities and custodial teams had been hard at work preparing campus the months prior, the Class of 2025 were some of the first students to step foot on Scripps since 2020.
In the past four years, that group of students has become a core part of the Scripps community. From Scripps Associated Students (SAS) to the 5C Women’s Club Volleyball team to the Claremont International Relations Society, the senior Class of 2025 has been integral in restoring the vibrancy of Scripps campus life after the pandemic.
Abbie Oh Arroyo ’25
Abbie Oh Arroyo ’25, politics and film double major, was the first-year class president in 2021 and now serves as the Class of 2025 co-president with Belén Yudess ’25.
“When I was class president that first year, I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted because of COVID-19 restrictions,” shares Arroyo. “When I was voted to be senior class president with Belén, I saw it as a full circle moment to pick up from where we started.”
Arroyo and Yudess have been determined to host as many events for the senior class as possible without the restrictions Arroyo experienced in 2021. The co-presidents have maintained Champagne Showers, a Scripps senior tradition, and introduced new events such as a Drag Bingo Night, a Class Dinner, and mixer events with other clubs.
“Our class has gone through a lot,” Yudess reflects. “We were the first class back from COVID-19, we had all of our weird restrictions, we’ve seen the changing of our presidents, we’ve been here throughout the student body unrest these past couple years. The Class of 2025 has been a major part of that — whether it’s through organizing, writing, archiving, or just simply showing up for one another.”
The seniors had trouble picking just one favorite memory from Scripps to talk about.
Anabhra Singh ’25, biology and history double major and executive vice president of SAS, shares that her favorite Scripps memory is President Amy Marcus-Newhall’s inauguration ceremony. “It was one of the happiest nights of my life,” says Singh. “There were so many alumnae and past presidents all dancing together. I really felt part of the spirited community that’s not just currently attending, but also has been part of Scripps for more than 25 years.”
Anabhra Singh ’25
Ellie Ringness ’25, an environmental analysis major, says her favorite memory did not take place on campus, but at Joshua Tree National Park during a spring break trip: “My friends and I climbed up to the top of a rock and we watched the sunset. I felt so lucky to have access to not only a beautiful campus, but also the chance to be in proximity to such a beautiful place.”
Angela Niederberger ’25, an international relations major and vice president of Claremont International Relations Society, shares her favorite Scripps memory is her sunny day ritual: reading on the lawn outside of her dorm with her roommate.
As the seniors prepare to graduate, they’re also reflecting on what they are most proud of from their time at Scripps. Melina Durre ’25, media studies major and president of SAS, shares that she is proud of being able to pursue many of her diverse interests.
“I didn’t expect to be joining student government when I got to Scripps. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the people within SAS and then also working for the athletics department and the admissions office,” she says. “All of those experiences have contributed a lot to my growth in different ways.”
Angela Niederberger ’25
Angela Zhou ’25 shares similarly that they are proud of pursuing opportunities outside of their classes. “I’m most proud of making a short film in 48 hours with my friends,” Zhou says. “As a data science major and computer science minor, I don’t always get the chance to be creative, so carving out those opportunities for myself has been very rewarding.”
Beyond her personal growth, Singh is proud of the work she has done to increase support for international students at Scripps as a former co-head of the Scripps International Community (SIC). She reflects, “When I first came in, we didn’t have an advisor, but now we have one full time. There have been small victories, like when I was able to get international students earlier arrival dates for winter and summer breaks to account for jet lag and travel.”
When asked what they will miss most about Scripps, everyone had a resounding answer: the community.
Ellie Ringness ’25
“I am going to miss being surrounded by really inspiring people doing things they are passionate about. This school is not only beautiful to walk around, it is beautiful in its student body,” says Niederberger. “The people here put action to their thoughts, an energy which catalyzed most of my own achievements here.”
“I’ll miss the comfort of being able to see people around, even just stopping to chat in the hallway or in the Motley,” adds Arroyo. “There are a lot of smaller things that we might take for granted now.”
For Yudess, the camaraderie the senior class has built over the past four years will be hard to beat, sharing “Our class is definitely at a point where even if you don’t know someone that well, you can sit down with them in the Motley and be able to chat. That’s really special; that doesn’t happen overnight. Our class has worked to go through that process together.”
Ringness adds that she will miss exchanging knowledge with those around her. “I’ll miss sitting at a table with someone and they’ll share something that they’ve learned in class,” she says. “It’s fun to always be learning from each other.”
Melina Durre ’25
Having been at Scripps for the past four years, the seniors have accumulated a wealth of knowledge on how to make the most of their Scripps experience. They have a range of advice for the incoming freshmen class of 2029.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” says Arroyo. “Do whatever you can to make Scripps your home.”
“As much as college is about making friends and building community, it is far and away most important to get comfortable being your own strongest support,” shares Niederberger. “Tough love, attention, listening, all needs to be done for yourself!”
Lauren Mar ’25
Ringness adds: “Get your general education requirements done soon, but also give yourself enough space to try new things and let yourself become really excited about something, even if you don’t initially understand it.”
The seniors have exciting plans for the future, including pursuing postgraduate degrees in law, medicine, and film. No matter where they end up, each senior will carry their lessons and relationships from Scripps with them.
“Our class carries so much heart,” reflects Yudess. “It has truly been an honor to see the way that everyone’s unique talents and voices have come together to make a difference. I’m really excited for everything we’re going to do going forward.”
Arroyo has one final, heartfelt message to share with the Class of 2025: “Please check your emails!”