Kj De Jesús

Kj De Jesús

Class Year

’24

Hometown

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Major(s)

English with Creative Writing Emphasis and History

Kj De Jesús ’24, a recipient of the Kenosha Scholarship, made some of her fondest memories as a member of Poetry Underground, Centrique Magazine , English Players, Mi Gente, and Carthage music ensembles. She’s also enjoyed the friends she’s made and the things she’s learned in her English and history courses.

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“I would not have gotten very far without my professors. My English and history teachers have helped me with more questions than anyone else on campus. When you find your people, they really take care of you.”

Kj De Jesús, ’24

Why Carthage?

“I chose Carthage because, at the time, COVID-19 was just on the rise, and I wanted to stay closer to family. Carthage gave me an offer I could not pass up.”

Favorite class

“I have enjoyed so many classes here — History of the Caribbean, Native American Literature, Greek Religion, Creative Writing, and Politics in Film. All amazing courses. I think my heart goes out to my Jazz Literature class though, as it became a pivotal course not just in my college career, but in my personal life as well.”

Golden opportunities

“I have been in Mock Trial as an independent study and performed with the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Pep Band.”

Internships or campus employment

“I work in the Office of Performing and Visual Arts as a house manager. Someone may say my majors don’t apply at all to my job, but I am able to explain settings and plots of plays to guests thanks to my history and English background. I have also been in the arts since elementary school — from choir to orchestra and band — I’ve done it all, and that background also helps me communicate with everyone I work with.”

Career goal

“I would like to go to law school. I am also interested in serving in the Air Force.”

Favorite spot on campus

“I love any seat I can do homework on that is near a window facing the lake. Aside from that, I love the Ehrler Hospitality Center in the A. F. Siebert Chapel. It is always warm, has a nice lamp, and is stocked with snacks. It’s a great place to work or just read and drink tea.”

Biggest surprise

“I think my biggest surprise has been how much my life and career choices have changed since I started going to Carthage. I was very strictly English and political science, and now I am studying history and English with a creative writing emphasis. It is not at all what I expected, but exactly what I wanted.”

Advice for other students in your major?

“Being an English and history major gives me all the tools I need to really learn why I love what I do. It gives me the chance to learn what I probably would have never even encountered in my K-12 education and really dive deep into the topics I like.”

What would your 8-year-old self think of you now?

“I’m pretty sure 8-year-old me would have no idea what I’m still doing in school and wondering why I’m not singing on a stage or driving a bus. But I think she’d be excited for me to be doing something meaningful that brings me happiness.”