Seniors reflect on their college experience

Living with learning differences, growing in grief and understanding trauma-informed care were among the topics discussed this semester when seniors gathered to discuss the value of their TCU education.

In all, seven graduating seniors took the stage during April’s Senior Speak-Up event. All had been nominated to give a six-minute speech on what TCU has done for them. About 70 people gathered in the ballroom in Brown-Lupton University Union to listen to their stories. Here’s a sampling of what was said.

AliceAnn Mosiniak

"2020 was the year that everyone’s world flooded, but for me, that's when we discovered that my mom had cancer," said AliceAnn Mosiniak, a ballet major. "My mom’s first chemo treatment was the week after I moved into college. I'm sure most of you remember your first day in college scared and excited, but also so scared. I felt so torn between going home and being a daughter and being the student I knew I could be."

Mosiniak encouraged others to not let the isolation of grief overcome you, rather seek help and discover joy in the process, just like she did.

"Grieving isn't an uncommon emotion that can isolate you," Mosiniak said. "It was after much persuasion and talking with my loved ones that I decided to seek out mental health resources here at TCU. There was so much vulnerability that came with that. For one I had to admit that I was struggling. It really was not easy. It took two years, and lots of tears screaming and questioning about why this is happening to us. But I didn't realize that facing it head on would actually start my healing journey."

In the future, Mosiniak hopes to help bring people joy to their dark moments and share her story with others who have seen or experienced the process of grieving.

Caroline Cutrona

"Dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD were the fancy words that were spoken over me," said Caroline Cutrona, an early childhood education major. "I turned the pages and tried to play the part but all I could really feel was a small tear in my heart."

Her speech walked the audience through her life with rhyme.

Cutrona encouraged others to not be stopped by the adversities of life, and to know that your differences do not put a limit on who you can be.

"Your dream, your wish, your purpose too, is actually found when you choose to push through," she said. "Feel free to try and make mistakes and pick back up and give yourself a little shake. We were never guaranteed an easy life, in fact, good stories aren’t good unless they come with a little strife."

Cutrona plans to "take a stand and fight for the kids that cannot find a hand. I have a dream to keep going and try my best, because I know that my story can impact the rest."

Sydney Sanders

"Trauma informed care is a holistic approach, recognizing trauma's widespread impact, such as the psychological, emotional, physical, behavioral, cognitive, and developmental effects," said Sydney Sanders, a double-major in social work and criminal justice. "Trauma informed care aims to foster a safe and supportive environment to add power to your life through trust and collaboration."

Sanders emphasizes that trauma informed care is as simple as changing "what is wrong with you," to "what happened to you."

Sanders will be furthering her education at TCU to earn her masters in social work and hopes to advocate for the idea of educating trauma informed care for the rest of her life.