On August 25th, 1,950 first-years began to burst through Johnston Gate. They represent a record-low number of admitted students—3.13 percent of all applicants—featuring record-high numbers of women, Asian Americans, and first-generation college students. After facing a series of disruptions to the college application process, including Harvard’s decision to make standardized test scores optional, “the Class of 2026 has demonstrated great promise for the future at a time of pandemic and economic uncertainty,” Dean of Admissions William R. Fitzsimmons ’67 said in a press release.
These first-years excel in their leadership and activism.
Kashish Bastola ’26, from Frisco, Texas, works to dispel ignorance and correct misinformation about critical race theory. “It’s been a very long, tough, and emotional battle trying to fight all of the misinformation and propaganda that a lot of parents in my community are putting out that really harm teachers and students,” he shared. “It’s just nice to see how even in like the most misinformed areas of the country, public schools are finding ways to innovate and be there for their teachers and students in ways that will have an impact for generations.”
Bastola appreciates Harvard’s commitment to rectifying its history of racial discrimination. Harvard has cultivated a teaching staff diverse in race, ethnicity, and field of study, and developed more inclusive course offerings, as seen in the administration’s consideration of ethnic studies as a new concentration.
Bastola is not the only changemaker. In high school, Maggie Chiappetta-Uberti ’26, from Los Angeles, California, sought to expand access to education and mitigate economic inequality amongst students by founding a free online tutoring company, Online Academia. At Harvard, she plans to research the lingual commonality between English and neuroscience, pursue journalism, sing acapella, and join the marathon club.
Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Asher Montgomery ’26 was editor-in-chief of her school newspaper with a particular interest in conducting student and faculty profiles. Though she had no experience designing a yearbook spread, she was elected to lead the yearbook committee as well. “I learned a lot about working with people and trying to cover a high school in a time when COVID-wise half of our school was online,” she explained. Montgomery wishes to write for the Harvard Independent and play on the club rugby team.
From Cincinnati, Ohio, Harry Warfel ’26 has a passion for art, environmentalism, and service. “I’ve always had a desire to help other people,” he said. “My dad was in the FBI for twenty years; my mom was a nurse. So it’s always a joke in my house that no matter what I do, we’ll have someone to help.” After enjoying the art of Zentangle in the fifth grade, he drew extensively on his own and sent his work to three art clubs and galleries, including the Cincinnati Art Club, where he became its youngest member. At Harvard, Harry will explore the Egyptology Department, which offers advanced projection and 3-D modeling of the pyramids of Giza.
With a team of international high school and college students, Eshan Vishwakarma ’26 worked for a nonprofit documentary studio in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia to develop short-form climate change documentaries. His studio, the Outspoken Editor, shifted from focusing its films on politics and culture to specializing in issues of climate change. It has now partnered with Adobe to “educate the next generation of climate change filmmakers,” Vishwakarma said. “The true stories and most important stories are in the climate change field.”
While serving for the Canadian Army Cadet Program, Hudson Bosch ’26 earned the highest-ranking positions of Regimental Sergeant Major and Chief Warrant Officer. He was one of twenty high school students in Canada to receive the 2020 Vinny Pilgrimage Award. Explaining his qualifications, he said, “I’m bilingual in English and French, [and] I prove that I’m able to produce concise and accurate research projects regarding World War and Canadian history.” As a reward, Bosch embarked on a ten-day education trip to World War sites in France and Belgium directly before moving to Harvard Yard.
The Class of 2026 features fourteen veterans. Kevin Fischetto ’26, an Air Force veteran and former Montana ranch hand, emigrated to the United States from Korea at twelve years old and grew up in Brewster, New York. “There was no typical day to day,” Fischetto said of his time as an airman. “Sometimes it was jumping out of a plane, sometimes diving, and lots of working out.” Now a 25-year-old first-year, Fischetto looks forward to finding the same bond he found in the military within Harvard’s Rugby team.
Fischetto admitted he was attracted to Harvard College because its determined, driven, and selfless personalities mirrored those he encountered in the military. Once on campus, Fischetto looks forward to meeting curious minds. “From what I gather, I think everyone has a unique story here.” From documentarians, artists, and veterans, unique stories will not be in short supply this year in Harvard Yard.
Eliza Kimball ’25 (elizakimball@college.harvard.edu) is searching the freshman class for her next Student Spotlights interviewee. Mary Cipperman ’25 (mcipperman@college.harvard.edu) wandered, rather unfortunately, into Visitasty last semester and now hopes to avoid first-years on the weekends this year.