Today was the first visual arts class of the PALETTE Program’s second year and I think I can speak for many students and PALs alike when I say how incredibly excited I was to begin this semester-long adventure. Not only did we get to try our hands at paper marbling but we also got to spend time getting to know our PALs.

I love learning about people and hearing stories about their lives and being situated at tables with our PALs was a great opportunity to meet other students and older adults as well. As myself and other PALETTE-enthusiasts at my table were chatting away we soon came to realize that each of us had something completely unexpected in common with the other members at the table. We were truly amazed at this coincidence and it was a humble reminder of how special the program is and how lucky we are to get to be a part of it.  It was a beautiful and exciting realization that despite different ages, races, professions, and interests we are all connected.

Allison Baumgartner, second year graduate student at the VCU School of Pharmacy