Through Their Eyes: Eight New Students Capture Their First Weeks at Pomona

Story Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026 Class of 2030 students Makenzie Royal, clockwise from top left, Mateo Schroeder, Chloe Aufrichtig, Marc Zhang, Reham Touaf, David Ocampo, Sasha Smucker and Tiago Aversa were eight of the students who captured their first weeks at Pomona College. Photo by: Travis Khachatoorian

Your first weeks at Pomona College are exciting, unforgettable and they only happen once. While our welcome traditions are shared by all who walk Through the Gates, no two experiences look alike.

This year we asked the Class of 2030 to put us in their shoes.

Several first-year students received their own disposable film camera to document their journey from Move-In Day to Orientation Adventure to the first day of classes and beyond.

Below, their favorite memories are imprinted on film and personally captioned.

Reham Touaf ’30

Oujda, Morocco

A student drinks a soda — Enjoying a drink at Frank Dining Hall

Students walking down the street — Walking through the gates

Sagehen mascot — Cecil welcoming us on Move-In Day

Late-night discussions with my tentmates at Big Bear Lake

Hanging out before the first day of class

I’ve always been more of an extroverted person, but I somehow became even more extroverted when I came here.

Students sit in a circle on the grass — Meeting my OA group

Students smile — Getting Insomnia Cookies

Students walk to a lake — Walking to the lake

Mateo Schroeder ’30

Chicago, Illinois

A bittersweet brotherly beginning 

First connections at the Boba Social

Getting comfortable on campus

Embracing the melodies of Wig Lounge

A pose to celebrate a day of surfing

One of my favorite events was Orientation Adventure because I got to go surfing for the first time. It was one of the most beautiful days of my life.

Commemorating our beautiful OA

A night out with friends

Simply a game of pool

Chloe Aufrichtig ’30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Picture of campus — The Way to Brunch at Frary

Two students hold a sign — Some Crust & Some Smiles for the First Day!

A bedroom — Wig room dressed by yet another soul

People set up a tent — Making a tent with friends I just met

I feel like I’m starting to feel more at home here.

A group of people on the beach — 3-hour train ride for a day at Manhattan Beach, quite a worthy trade

People sitting around a table — A game of spoons substituted by knives

People dance — Dancing away at Claremont’s Friday Nights Live

Marc Zhang ’30

Shanghai, China

“What’s your name?” and “Where do you call home?”

The fountain of birthday boys and birthday girls

Why is Linear Algebra so hard, I miss O-week TAT

Meeting with the BEST sponsor group

Why’s my roommate Tom and I’m Jerry?

Departing to the most energetic OA

I’ve been joining a bunch of clubs already. I have my own friend groups. I’m settling into life here and beginning to find my way through college.

Look! We don’t have classes! (Now we do.)

Makenzie Royal ’30

Chaska, Minnesota

Three students in a photo — getting ready for sunset dinner at San Onofre

Students walk around campus — heading to the farmer’s market in the village

Boys on the beach — San Onofre boys getting ready to surf

Inside of a performance venue — convocation in Little Bridges

The people have been amazing, and I feel like I can tell that the professors really care about us as students.

A woman on campus — so excited to hit up the CARW

A student in a lab — taking on Chem10 lab

A man take a bite — enjoying a treat after dinner

David Ocampo ’30

Cicero, Illinois

First day of OA: Walking the streets of Los Angeles

Chatting, reading and taking photos in an L.A. bookstore

Live taping of Jeopardy while on a tour of Sony Pictures Studios

I feel like less of a statistic and more of a member of the Pomona community.

Watching the sun setting over Los Angeles at the Griffith Observatory

Making new friends at beach day during Orientation Adventure

Sharing a meal with newly made friends at the beach

Tiago Aversa ’30

Miami, Florida

A student holding another student's legs up in the air — Gym was closed but Marston wasn’t

Students in a selfie — Posse going through the gates

A group walks down the street — Through the gates

Students wait for the bus — Catching the bus

Parents and a student in a selfie — Last goodbye to parents

Taking a picture on film keeps you in the moment.

Sasha Smucker ’30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Goodbye lunch with mom and dad at Frank

“Just go for it”

Dorm tour with my hallmates!

Living the mountain life

Getting to know my roommates

I’m surprised by just how friendly people are and willing to reach out and invite me to lunch or do random things. I have people smile at me as I pass on my bike. The community seems great.

Choppin’ onions

Picking up books for class

First college chemistry class!

The redesigned KODAK FunSavers that captured the first weeks of the 2026-27 school year.

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Story By: Travis Khachatoorian

Category: Life at Pomona, Strategic Vision, Flourishing and Inclusion, Students, Student Activities