Same Four Questions. Sixty Years Apart.

Sondra Pitts graduated in 1966; Abby Stinnette walked this May.

Why did you choose CCRI?

Sondra Pitts: I always wanted to be a teacher and, due to financial constraints, would not have been able to go to a four-year college after I graduated from high school. I was one of the lucky 325 students, selected from a pool of 800, who were accepted into Rhode Island Jr. College's first graduating class.

Abby Stinnette: I was unsure about going to college, but when I met with a CCRI advisor, they helped me realize this was the perfect place for me. It was welcoming and supportive right from the start, and that made things a lot less scary.

What's your fondest CCRI memory?

Sondra Pitts: My classmates and I were pioneers — we started the first newspaper, formed the first clubs, and even named our own alma mater. When we graduated, the Providence Journal called us "the Miracle on Promenade Street," and honestly, it still is.

Abby Stinnette: My best memories are just hanging out on campus with friends between classes. But what stands out most is having professors who were patient, kind, and believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.

What is the one piece of advice you'd give to the incoming class?

Sondra Pitts: Hold your head high. Be positive, work hard, and take advantage of every opportunity CCRI offers.

Abby Stinnette: Don't be hard on yourself — we're all our own worst critics. Go easy on yourself, and remember we're all here to learn.

If you could sit next to your younger self in a CCRI classroom today, what's the one piece of advice about navigating life after graduation?

Sondra Pitts: Remember that it was CCRI that helped you build the foundation to reach your goals and achieve your dreams. Once you're out in your field, come back and give of your time, talent, and treasure — CCRI makes it easy to get involved, and the arms are open here in a way they aren't in a lot of places.

Abby Stinnette: If I were to sit next to scared little freshman Abby, I would tell her that even though all of this feels intimidating and you feel alone, you're not. The faculty and staff at CCRI are here for you — during school and long after graduation. Finding yourself and settling into a career sounds scary, but you're not navigating it alone.