User:Riyakishen

Hey! I'm Riya Kishen and I was (supposed to be) a 20.1 Blammo Goddess at Lan :)

About Me

My wonderful predecessor Lindsey Russ gave me this position and I love her to pieces. I live in New Jersey right now and I'm super into music, art, superhero movies, and soccer. SO sad that I wasn't able to see all my babies for my nevermore year, but, I'm always here in spirit. Don't hesitate to dm me on instagram (@riyakishen) if you ever wanna talk or make a new friend. I was also in charge of the virtual blammo for 20.1 with Myrah Charles. A big thanks to everyone who participated in that <3 it was so amazing to bring a small chunk of CTY back home during rona season.

Classes

- Paradoxes and Infinities, Bristol 18.1

- Mathematical Logic, Lancaster 19.1

Passionfruit

Hey everyone! I’m riya kishen and I was your 20.1 blammo goddess. I remember where I was a year ago today, curled up on the bricks of Hartman Green with Rohan and my other friends, watching Lindsey, Ceci, Matt, and many other role models give their speeches and I was sobbing because I knew in a year that was going to be me. While this isn’t quite exactly where they were since i’m in my kitchen, this is gonna have to do.

My life at home, especially my Freshman year was a little odd, I lost all of my close friends, got into a spotty relationship, and just felt really lost. I’ve spent every waking moment since then changing things about myself to be more like the people around me. From trying to join sports and clubs that don’t fit my personality, to dressing a certain way, doing my makeup a certain way, to hanging out with people that didn’t value the same things as me. And in the moment it felt pretty great to be surrounded by other people that didn’t look past me as just this little, insignificant, Indian girl. But, as time went on I realized that I was giving up all of the wonderful things that made me unique. My mom said to me one day “why don’t u go to this summer camp with a bunch of nerds and then sit in class for 6 hours a day and learn math” and I was like. No. no no no no no. absolutely not. I’m not going to go LEARN over the summer surrounded by a bunch of nerds. Turns out, those nerds were the thing I was missing in my life. CTY is my home, my community, and most of all, my family. And though this house may be falling apart, the memories, friendships, and lessons I’ve learned here will never fade. So, Dear anyone who thinks they don’t fit in, every single part of you is beautiful, loveable, and amazing, it’s just that you haven’t found the people that appreciate it yet. I found my people here, at CTY.

There was this one time during 19.1 where I sort of had this ah-ha moment. I was at the dance, hailing a stick with a glowing ball on it, screaming the lyrics to Mr. Brightside at the top of my lungs, and balling my eyes out. The girl that I acted like back at home would’ve thought the girl standing in that sweaty gym was absolutely, positively, weird. But that girl in that sweaty gym had never been happier in her whole life. There was this click moment when I realized all of the people surrounding me were going to love me, unconditionally, and that’s the beauty of CTY. Whether you’re a girl, boy, gay, straight, black, white, brown, introverted, extroverted, popular or not, this community is going to take you in, and surround you with love. There’s not a single other place in the world, and let that sit in, not a SINGLE place in the world where I can shout culty chants, cry when American Pie comes on, sacrifice a watermelon, attack people with spoons, steal paintings, have a grass orgy, and dress in full goth and dance to rocky horror, without seeming insane.

I want to thank a few people that have made me feel loved over the years so, Sasha, Ava, Charley, Soraya, Ashton, Albert, Mariah, Rohan, Lindsey, Myrah, Chris, Lauren, Dani, Lily, and everyone else who’s made me smile at session, I CTY you guys more than you’ll ever know. I really don’t know what I did to deserve all of your love, but you guys have gotten me through some of the toughest moments of my life up until now. I can’t thank you enough.

To the people younger than me and you lucky kids with another year: While this year has been a little whacky, this year’s position holders have done their jobs, and now it’s time for us to move on. This camp is YOURS, make the most out of it. I’m so honored that my love and legacy is going to be passed down through the years. Make sure this camp STAYS the place where kids like me who are lost, are able to find a home.

God I can’t believe these words are coming out of my mouth now but, I like you, I love you, I CTY you, I love CTY, and I love the passion fruit.

Comments

Riya, You are one of the CTY people I stay in contact with not only the most, but the longest. Hanging out with you was actually part of why I picked up string instruments again. I’m sorry if I’d come off as awkward or whatnot, but your company means a lot to me. Thanks for being one of the people to not give up on me.

-Ashton User:JustMeAC

You did an amazing job with online blammo! Keep being awesome! - Connor

thanks so much for organizing online blammo, it was so fun!! (and then i got out lol) anyways, you seem like a really cool and nice person :) - aarushi

riya - you are one of the sweetest people i have ever met! you're so dedicated and kind, and i really appreciate all of the time that you and myrah put into blammo and halloween. you guys really helped make online session something incredibly special and memorable. keep slaying! you're amazing <3
- sonny boi

hi riya! you did an amazing job organizing online blammo this year! thank you for all of ur hard work <3 User:Caitlin Fox

riya ur incredible ilysm!! -dani

Riya!! I love you!! You’re so gorgeous and I hope we meet someday! - Allie G :-)

hey riya!! you're so sweet and amazing and i'm really glad I got to meet you this year. thank you so much for everything you and myrah did running the online blammo game! Happy love tape day :)) - chris

quintuple gang - wife #4