Riley Grace Borden

Proudest Moment: My second-to-last quarter here at UW, I wrote a paper in Jeffery Knight's honors seminar about Shakespeare's so-called "horse sonnets." I have always struggled with research papers, and I never felt like I could read or understand Shakespeare. This turned into the first research paper I felt came fully, loudly, and entirely from own voice, and it was also the first time I realized, after a quarter of careful study, I could read Shakespeare. I have never felt such pride over a research paper before, and since writing it, I have felt like an entire realm of writing has opened up to me.

Thesis: Plathology: Plath, a Piece in the Puzzle of American Women’s Poetry Tradition

Hello all! My name is Riley Grace, and after graduating with my two year degree at Skagit Valley Community College, I have been at the UW now for two wonderful, challenging, jam-packed years. Where do I begin to describe this journey? I think I must have told 50 people during my first few weeks at UW how ridiculously joyful I felt every morning to wake up as a student at this university. I had spent months prior researching clubs and groups at UW and planning how I would use every second of my two years. The opportunities at UW ended up being as endless and wide as I hoped and planned for. Now, multiple clubs tried and joined, new people met and befriended, final papers and exams completed later, I feel just as fortunate and thankful. From the professors who dedicated hours to the development of my writing and voice, to engaging classes, to a consciously diverse curriculum, I have most positively been shaped by my experiences as an English major, and I extend my thanks to every individual in the department and across the humanities who made my experience possible. Post graduation, I am looking forward to spending my next three years at UW's law school!