Penguin
PROFILES
Barisere Tuka ’21 STUDENT TAKES BOLD VOICE TO HARVARD Barisere Tuka ’21 hasn’t yet decided what
in Cushing’s arts program, performing in
she’ll study at Harvard University. She is
nine theatrical productions and a student-run
very interested in history and science. She
a cappella group. Before coming to Cushing,
also has considered pursuing medicine.
Bari had sung in school and church choirs,
What she knows for sure is that she wants
but acting in theater was a new experience.
to use her voice in some way to advocate
“I’ve practiced putting myself in different
for others and that she will continue to be
characters’ shoes and then finding parts of
active in the performing arts.
myself that relate to those characters,” she said. “Finding something to admire in each
Cushing Today readers first met Bari in a 2018
of the characters that I’ve played has taught
article about her experience as a freshman
me about other people and about myself.” Bari
here. At that time, she described first
credits her theater experience with building
hearing about boarding schools through a
her confidence. “I find that I’ve walked away
presentation at her church. Intrigued, Bari
from each show a better person,” she said.
left with a list of resources and began the
“Everyone here is challenging you to be the
research that led her to Cushing. “I felt a strong sense of community
most creative version of yourself.”
here,” Bari said. “Everyone was so nice when I visited campus, which made Cushing feel like home.”
Reflecting on her time at Cushing, Bari, a Watkins Scholar and the recipient of the Pliny A. Boyd 1894 Award at Commencement, has many fond memories of spending time in Schottland House. She
“Everyone here is challenging you to be the most creative version of yourself.”
especially recalls the camaraderie of watching movies together, and an impromptu slam poetry night. While she loved her classes in history, English, and chemistry, Bari is most proud of the relationships she has built with friends and mentors. “What really makes a school is the people,” she said. “That’s what helped me grow.”
Looking back now, Bari describes her personal growth since coming to the Academy as “exponential.” Naturally, boarding school was a significant adjustment at first. Exploring new opportunities became easier after a friend invited Bari to the Open Doors club, which focuses on issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. “This was a space where I could be myself,” Bari explained, “and I branched out from there.” By senior year, Bari was president of Open Doors, and was also a member of the Black Student Union and other clubs. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and have a strong interest in social justice,” she said. “I find
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CUSHING TODAY
value in a variety of spaces
As Bari begins her college career, she offers new Penguins the
that support people in
wisdom of what helped her make the most of her time at Cushing:
being themselves.”
“When you’re in a new place, know that you aren’t alone. Talk to one
Bari also was very active
another and you’ll find other people also trying to figure it out.”
