Abstract
Castra Raphael is an English major from Haiti. Her essay explores the ability of food to bring people together and preserve important memories of family, culture, and community. As Castra explains, she wanted to show that “some of life’s best memories are made around the table.” Writing the essay encouraged her to consider how ordinary shared meals can become meaningful markers of relationships and personal history. It also reminded her “how quickly time flies” and deepened her gratitude for the experiences and memories she has gathered over the years. Castra sees the essay as a reflection of both her cultural background and the kind of person she strives to be: attentive, empathetic, and invested in the lives of others. Outside the classroom, she is passionate about dancing, an activity that brings her joy and supports her in many areas of her life. She also values making people feel heard by listening carefully, seeking to understand their experiences, and trying to see situations from their perspectives.
Recommended Citation
Raphael, Castra
(2026)
"Soup Joumou Before Sunrise,"
Undercurrents: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Composition: Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/undercurrents/vol5/iss1/7
Included in
Creative Writing Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, Rhetoric and Composition Commons