Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Samantha Desmornes ’26 discussed her favorite foods, her passion for dance, and her interest in child psychology. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Arleny Flores (AF): You are from Boston. What do you miss the most about being in a city?

Samantha Desmornes (SD): I miss the bustle. It’s very quiet in Williamstown, but I think that gives me an appreciation for being here. I can hear myself think. In Williamstown, I can actually see the stars, which are not something you can see in the city. I feel like three hours is enough distance from home that I feel like I can be independent, but when I want to go home and see my mom, or my brother, or my friends, I can drive. It’s the best of both worlds. 

AF: You’re currently studying abroad in Florence. What does a typical day there look like for you? 

SD: A typical day consists of one class. One of my consistent classes is Italian, but I don’t have it until 4:30 p.m. Before that, I like to wake up early, go to the gym, and look over my notes. And then I go to class. My busiest days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays, I take  a history class about what it’s like to be a day-to-day Italian from an outside perspective. On Thursdays, I’m in an Africana class, which talks about the race and the racialization of Italy, and what it feels like to navigate Italy as a person of color. 

AF: While abroad, aside from schoolwork, how do you like to spend your time? 

SD: I’ve made friends while being abroad and I like hanging out with them. There is this one place that I absolutely love here: It’s like a movie theater, but it’s also a library. So, when you walk in, you can see people doing work, or people just come in to watch whatever movie is going on. And I think that is probably one of my favorite things I like to do with my friends. Or grabbing gelato, because that’s very common here. 

AF: What’s the most memorable place you’ve traveled to during your time abroad? 

SD: Hands down, I’d have to say Morocco. That was one of my favorite places to visit. My friend and I went to a restaurant there and everyone was seated and eating dinner, but there was an active show going on. Dancers would roam the restaurant, and the ambience was really cool. I really loved that. I would also have to say Paris. My friend and I went to Disneyland Paris, and it was so cool. It was something that was always on my bucket list as a kid. 

AF: What are some of your favorite foods you’ve tried while abroad?

SD: I feel like this is very generic, but the Italian pasta and the Italian pizza. They know what they’re doing. You can taste the difference from here and when you’re back in the states. It’s very different, but it’s really good. 

AF: You’re on the Nothing But Cuties (NBC) dance team. When did you start dancing and what do you enjoy most about it? 

SD: I never actually took dance class before coming to Williams. I used to just dance for fun with my friends. And then at Williams, I tried out for the team. Something that I love about dancing is that you can express yourself in so many different ways. Hearing the beat, choreographing to it, and being able to share that and a stage with your friends is something that I love. Being on the team has definitely given me more appreciation for dance, because while being abroad, I miss being on the team so much. I’m so excited to dance again when I return for my senior year. 

AF: I know you’re interested in becoming a child psychologist. What made you want to work with kids?

SD: Every summer, I’m a summer camp counselor at the Boys and Girls Club. I’ve always loved working with kids, learning the different ways in which each child communicates and expresses themself. Last summer, I got the chance to lead my own group. Talking to kids one-on-one, and understanding what frustrates them fueled my desire to be a child psychologist. I’m always learning, because no child is the same. It keeps you on your toes. 

AF: Where do you want to live after you graduate? Would that be somewhere like Williamstown,  Boston, or something in between? 

SD: My friends and I talk about this all the time. I was thinking of Boston, but also North Carolina, on the suburban side where it’s not too far from the city. My goal in life is to build my own home from the ground up. And I know that I’m going to need a lot of land. Also, I have family down there, so it would be an opportunity to get to know the other side of my family a little bit more. But I also have a lot of ties in Boston. It’s up in the air, but North Carolina has always been my number one. 

AF: Do you have a favorite book and a favorite musical artist?

SD: My favorite books would have to be the Divergent series — the whole dystopian thing that is going on. And for favorite artists, I listen to Don Toliver a lot. Drake has a lot of songs that people can relate to. I know this kind of goes with the whole beef that was going on, but also Kendrick. He has a lot to say too, and what he has to say is usually important, but also, his beats are usually memorable. Those are my top three that I listen to.

AF: You mentioned that you’re excited to return to dancing at the College. What else are you excited to return to?

SD: I would say just being on campus. I miss walking past Paresky, and seeing random things going on outside. And all of my friends being in one place, because we’re all kind of scattered across Europe. I love Williams during the spring, because that’s when you see everyone outside and everyone’s a little bit happier. People are like, “Oh, it’s getting nicer outside,” so people are starting to sit outside. I miss stuff like that.