2026-Yuko Tanaka
Major: Music, Art History
Personal Statement:
“The Lafayette Ideal is a well-rounded, educated member of the senior class who adds to a sound academic record noteworthy participation in college activities and student life, which contribute to the advancement of the College on and off campus. Academic brilliance or athletic prowess alone is not the criterion for selection a a Pepper Prize recipient.”
From my first Student Government Gavel Passing ceremony, I remember our advisor at the time saying, “You are the voices of your peers. Put yourself out there, meet as many people, talk to as many people.” Over the past four years, I have tried to embody these words by immersing myself in various areas of campus and being the first to strike up a conversation. Student Government became an opportunity for me to collaborate with faculty, administrators, staff, and peers to make this place, the Lafayette community, better than I found it. From spending hours ironing and distributing handme-down graduation gowns for free, to countless meetings with students and administrators to institutionalize the menstrual equity project, installing free menstrual products in each academic building, even the most difficult or tedious work was worth it, knowing that it meant something to a member of this community. My experience in Student Government encouraged me to apply for positions on faculty and Board of Trustees committees, and I had the honor of engaging in these discussions and advocating for student voices. At the same time, I had the opportunity to engage with many alumni, whose generosity and commitment to the college and to supporting students inspired me deeply. This experience led me to join the Lafayette Student Alumni Council and to co-chair the Senior Class Gift Committee. After experiencing the kindness and mentorship of many alumni, I soon wanted to be more involved in building those relationships and developing the connections as we transition from seniors to becoming young alumni. Although it breaks my heart that this chapter of my life is coming to an end, I will forever cherish the friendships that I’ve found in this community and continue to give back to Lafayette.
Question 1: Please elaborate on the activity or accomplishment that has been the most meaningful to you during your time at Lafayette and why?
My academic journey at Lafayette has been shaped by professors who mentored me not only through my studies but through my personal growth, and by peers who constantly inspired and supported me. Through small class sizes, working with diverse peers, and kind guidance from professors, I found a community that celebrates curiosity and shared dialogue. Although I was shy at first, I soon learned that my peers were there to listen to new perspectives and we were all here to learn together. This year, I am working on an honors thesis that bridges two of my majors, exploring how the piano shaped the ways young women in late 19th-century Paris embodied cultural capital and expressed femininity and status within the domestic space. While working on my thesis, I’ve come to realize that each course I’ve taken in various disciplines and all of my extra and co-curricular activities have contributed to my academic experience and growth. As I prepare to pursue a master’s degree in art history at Columbia University, I am truly grateful for every late-night study session with friends, office-hour conversations with professors, and the opportunities and mentorship that Lafayette’s liberal arts education has offered me.
Question 2: Please briefly describe any unique circumstances, highlights from your time at Lafayette, things you are proud of or other special considerations, anything that you feel is relevant to your consideration as a Pepper Prize applicant and that is not addressed elsewhere.
Growing up across six cities and attending ten different schools, I learned early how to navigate unfamiliar places, people, and expectations. Each time, it was classmates who welcomed me and became my first friends, and the teachers who gave me the extra care and support that helped me adjust, and most importantly, made each new place feel like home. I’m here today because of the kindness and support of so many people along the way, and that has shaped my commitment to giving back to the community wherever I am. As I began my journey at Lafayette, I was initially nervous, but I gradually found my voice within this community. From classmates, members of Student Government, to my 100+ sorority sisters, I have met amazing friends with whom I feel comfortable being my authentic self. My friends inspire me every day to challenge myself, and I know that we are always there for each other. Living so far away from home and family can be difficult at times, but I am so lucky to have a community that I love and a place that I yearn to go back to after each break; a place to call home.