JE is delighted to announce 2025 - 2026 Fro-Cos!
Daliya ALi EL Abani
Daliya (she/her) spent her teen years hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains and swimming in the Shenandoah River with her german shepherd, Zeus, in Winchester, Virginia. Until the age of 12, she grew up biking through the Balkan hills of Gabrovo, Bulgaria, and walking the deserts of Libya.
At Yale, she studies Global Affairs with certificates in Data Science and Intensive Human Rights, with plans to go into entertainment law. She’s worked closely with migrant and refugee youth through the Migration Alliance (formerly co-president) and will continue to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Human Rights Journal. She’s also part of the Bulgarian Society, MENACC, and the Muslim Students Association.
She’s danced for over 14 years—hip-hop, lyrical, salsa, belly dancing, even line dancing—and recently added Bollywood-fusion to the list as the former captain of Rangeela. Outside her favourite place, the dance studio, she’s been a FOOT leader and has gotten to know many first-years through the Jonathan Edwards College Council, so she’s excited to finally FroCo.
You might also recognize her as a waitress at NOA, JE’s (and maybe Yale’s) favorite Thai spot, where she’s worked since first year. She’s a huge sports fan who watches mostly basketball, volleyball, football, and fútbol. She cycles through favorite teams often, but the Cowboys have her loyalty for better or worse.
In her free time, she’s usually at the gym, watching a game, at a concert, cooking, arguing about something random, or finding a sunny spot to enjoy with friends.
Daliya can’t wait to meet her Frosh and share playlists—let her know what you’re listening to lately.
Daliya’s $0.02: Balance is one of the hardest things to find in your first-year… but it’s also the most important. I try to stick to a rule of threes: do something every day that nourishes your mind, body, and soul.
For your mind, spend a little time each day engaging with something thought-provoking (academic or puzzles even) that you actually enjoy, even if nothing’s due. For your body, get some movement in: a walk, a dance session in the JE studio, lifting, a run, or even a good stretch. And for your soul, lean into what makes you feel grounded—music, good conversation, watching a game, reading something just for fun, calling your mom, or even just picking out a good outfit and doing your hair.
You can use this rule for more than just little tasks. Choose extracurriculars, meals, and routines that feed all three. Prioritizing and incorporating all three daily will make you feel refreshed, in control, and balanced.
Hang Chen
Hang (he/him) is a Mechanical Engineering major from Brooklyn, New York, also pursuing an Energy Studies Certificate. He has spent much of his time at Yale mentoring and supporting others through his leadership with the Yale QuestBridge chapter, his role as a mentor for the Office of Educational Opportunity, and as a Camp Yale Harvest leader. With interest in sustainability and the built environment, he conducts research on renewable fuels in the Pfefferle Lab and interns with MEP engineering consulting firms. Just recently, Hang studied abroad in Sydney, Australia to tie together his interests in energy systems, computational modeling, and building design. During Hang’s free time, you can find him in the dance practice rooms, hosting cooking nights in the JE kitchen, going on snack breaks and walks with friends, and grabbing a matcha drink. Hang is excited to be back on campus, and most importantly, to meet and welcome the Class of 2029!
Hang’s $0.02: Some of the best parts of first year and of Yale come from embracing the unknown. Be open to trying new things, saying yes, and putting yourself in spontaneous circumstances. You learn more about yourself when you join a club or pursue a hobby that interests you even if you never did it before. Also, make sure to prioritize yourself and have fun! We will be your biggest supporters throughout it all so feel free to talk to us, ask for advice, or share any updates!
Zoey Duan
Zoey (she/her) grew up in Honolulu, Hawai’i and now lives in La Canada Flintridge, California. She is a Global Affairs major with certificates in Global Health Studies and Statistics & Data Science. At Yale, Zoey has served in a variety of capacities –– from committee chair to Director-General of Operations –– for Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) conferences in Taiwan, Korea, and India. Outside of YMUN, she conducts medical research with Johns Hopkins Medicine, climate policy research with a non-profit think tank, and quality improvement as department director for Yale’s student-run primary health clinic, HAVEN Free Clinic. Zoey has also dabbled in international journalism for The Yale Globalist, wet lab research for the Yale Child Study Center, dancing for Yale Danceworks, and even sparring with the Yale Mixed Martial Arts Club. In her free time, she loves listening to pop punk and true crime podcasts, pretending to study at cafes, and playing games (Monopoly Deal!) with friends. She is so excited to get to know all each and every frosh this fall!
Tomás Fuchs-Lynch
Tomás (he/him) is a Linguistics major from Santa Monica, California, pursuing an Italian Language certificate. Besides languages, he also loves theater. On campus, he directs and produces plays and is the president of the Yale Drama Coalition. Tomás works in the Pama-Nyungan Historical Linguistics Lab researching Aboriginal Australian languages. He’s also one of the Hard Core Heads for First-Year Outdoor Orientation Trips (FOOT). When he’s not thinking too hard about words or in rehearsal, you can find him playing board games with friends, hiking, or frequenting one of New Haven’s many coffee shops. Tomás is thrilled to be a FroCo and is excited to get to know the class of 2029. Go Spiders!
Tomás’s $0.02: If there’s something you want to do, you should just ask! There are incredible opportunities at Yale, but they can sometimes be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. If you’re interested in getting involved with research, studying abroad, funding an art project, starting a club, or anything else, there are resources available to make it happen! Your FroCos, Dean Robles, DUS (Director of Undergraduate Studies), and professors will be able to connect you with opportunities, or if they can’t, with people who can, but you have to ask them! This can absolutely be intimidating, but you have a huge support system here at Yale and everyone wants to help you succeed. And remember, if someone tells you no, then you’re no worse off than if you hadn’t asked at all.
Britney Gramajo Barrios
Britney (she/her) is from Westchester, New York, just a train ride away from NYC. She is majoring in Ethics, Politics, & Economics and Latin American Studies, and is pursuing a Human Rights Certificate. Outside of class, Britney has worked as a JE Aide (the best job on campus!) for three years. She is involved with pre-law and mentorship groups including the Yale Undergraduate Legal Aid Association (YULAA) where she volunteers as a translator, the Yale Undergraduate Hispanic Pre-Law Association (YUHPLA) where she served as the Social Media Manager, and the Office of Educational Opportunity where she works as an FGLI Thrive Mentor. In her free time, she enjoys going on scenic walks, listening to new music, and going for a sweet treat with friends! She can’t wait to meet the newest spiders of the Class of 2029 and welcome them to JE and Yale!
Britney’s $0.02: Coming to Yale, a lot of us have a set plan of what we want our four years to look like. It can be easy to spiral when things don’t go as planned, but I strongly encourage first-years to embrace change and spontaneity! One door closing could lead to another opportunity you might not have considered otherwise! Explore new places, new ideas, and new experiences. Lean on your community when things get tough but also remember you have the power to choose the experiences that define your time here and that will ultimately make it feel like home.
Alejandra Mendez
Alejandra (she/her/ella) is a senior majoring in Cognitive Science with a certificate in French Language Studies from New Bedford, MA. She is beyond excited to be a JE FroCo for the Class of 2029! She’s had the privilege of working as JE Office Aide and a JE dining hall student manager, which has truly fed her love for the JE community. She has also worked at the Afro American Cultural Center (“the House”) as a peer liaison for first-year students. On campus, she has led and been involved in several student organizations, including the a cappella group Shades of Yale, the Latin dance group Sabrosura, the Dominican Students Association, and Yale Undergraduate Prison Project. Feel free to ask her about magical realism novels, Pinterest boards, k-dramas, study spots, and music recommendations. Welcome to Yale!
Alejandra’s $0.02: Everyone says that what makes Yale special is the people, and that is so SO true. I’ve made some of my best friends here, and that has been due to the extracurricular activities that I dedicate my time to outside of class. The best time to get involved in those extracurriculars is your first year (of course, it’s never too late), but being able to establish friendships through shared interests is very valuable. However, it can be easy to overcommit yourself, so it is important not to spread yourself too thin. Joining too many clubs is never the move and prevents you from maximizing the spaces you’re involved in. Be realistic with yourself about your bandwidth and make sure that you are prioritizing what is important to you.
Semona Robel
Semona (she/her) is a senior from Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring in Ethnicity, Race, and Migration. In her time at Yale she has done everything from serving as Co-President and a mentor in the Urban Improvement Corps, teaching New Haven middle schoolers as a Yale-Classroom Assistant, and dancing on Yale’s first and only Ethiopian-Eritrean dance team, Desta. Semona is also a proud Spring 2024 Initiate of the Prestigious Pi Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, spending time with loved ones, and exploring New Haven. She is so proud to be a FroCo and is so excited to serve as a mentor to the JE Class of 2029, JE SUX!
Semona’s $0.02: Yale is undoubtedly a very rigorous institution and a huge adjustment. Give yourself grace as you are undergoing this massive transition. Lean on your community, breathe and take breaks when needed, and remember that you are an accomplished individual that belongs and was selected to come to Yale for a reason.
Clarissa Tan
Clarissa grew up between Anshan, China and Lincoln, Nebraska. She is double-majoring in Global Affairs and Art/Design, with a French Language Certificate. Clarissa was Under-Secretary-General of Branding and Director for YMUN Taiwan, Korea, China, and Brazil. She writes a travel column in the Yale Daily News, advises students on summer funding for the Fellowships Office, and works as a campus photographer. In her free time, Clarissa enjoys being a part of Danceworks, hiking to East Rock, taking digis of her beautiful friends, and backpacking (she has been to 71 countries!). She likes seals, dolphins, the city of Paris, and playing Wordle/Quordle/Octordle (try it).
Clarissa’s $0.02: Use your resources!! Being a Yalie is a unique, historical, and magical experience! Yale has no shortage of help, and while it can be overwhelming, many things that you are looking for might already exist! And if not, Yale has every opportunity to create it for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask upperclassmen for help - everyone was a frosh at some point, so we love paying it forward :)