Vitor Dos Anjos
High School: East Side High School in Newark, NJ
Intended Major: Biology and Education Special Major
Possible Career: Teacher or Researcher for Biology and Education Policy
Words: Thoughtful, passionate, resilient, unique, and revolutionary
What impact do you want to have on the world?
I would help as many people rise out of poverty as possible. The most effective way of achieving this goal is through work in either immigration or education. Millions of immigrants and students from marginalized communities face similar forms of structural oppression that make the pursuit of freedom and happiness nearly impossible in the United States today. Through reform of education policy and immigration policy or through one on one work from individuals from these communities I hope to help elevate as many people out of poverty as possible.
Name a person you admire.
I admire Paulo Freire for his work in educating the illiterate poor of Brazil in the 1960s and educational insight from Pedagogy of the Oppressed. From a young age, education has piqued my curiosity. Teaching runs in my family's blood; for generations my family has been educators in Brazil. I long to bring that legacy back to the United States with the insights of Paulo Freire. He has helped teach the world the powerful force that education can be in either reinforcing or transforming the status quo; speaking ill of the hierarchical, rigidly un-inclusive, and banking nature of traditional education.
What is something you are proud of in your life so far?
I am most proud of when I gave back to the communities that have given me so much. I am proud to have organized student voices to defend our teachers and public education in my hometown. I am proud to have spent time tutoring elementary school students also of low-income backgrounds at home and in Swarthmore. I am proud to have worked with the Boys and Girls Club and with local schools to offer youth summer enrichment. I am proud of my ability to represent my Latino, low-income, and immigrant identities in Swarthmore.
What have been the most valuable Evans Scholars program experiences for you?
The most valuable Evans Scholars experience has been the Outbound trip before classes started my freshmen year. It was instrumental in making me feel safe and like I belonged in Swarthmore. It made me close with individuals whom I now consider best friends to this day.
What was the most transformative class you have taken and/or what subjects do you want to explore deeply?
The most transformative class I have taken is Intro to Education in Swarthmore. This class has been very illuminating of the privileges and disadvantages I encountered in my own path through education. I would love to further explore pedagogy and education policy; for their universal insight of people and didactic utility.
