Tara Westover and Anthony Jack spoke about their unique education journeys at Amherst College this past Thursday.

Westover was born a Mormon who was raised by parents who did not support public education. In a rural area of Utah, Westover spent her days working in a junkyard and preparing meals. She eventually decided to get an education and experience the world. At age 17, she stepped into a classroom at Brigham Young University.

Jack’s upbringing was quite different. Growing up in the urban area of Miami, Jack was faced with many issues because of the economically disadvantaged community which he resided in. He mentioned that there was a sharp divide in economic status where he lived. “Segregation was built into the fabric of urban life,” Jack said.

The discussion was moderated by Leah Schmalzbauer, a William R. Kenan Professor of American Studies and Latin American Studies at Amherst College.

Jack spoke about diversity among lower-income students and focused on first-generation students. He discussed how it can be hard for first-generation families to relate to their students.

Norsha Hydol, a microbiology and anthropology student at UMass and a first-generation student, spoke about her own experiences and feelings. In discussing her parent’s feelings about her attending college, she said, “my parents are always understanding plus they are very proud of me.”

The purpose of the lecture was for both authors to touch on the power of education. Westover spoke about young adults feeling trapped and not wanting to leave their hometown because they may feel as if they don’t have the knowledge. Where she is from, farming used to be a way of life, though that is not the case anymore.

According to Westover, “20 percent of the population lives in a rural area,” and young adults from rural areas like Utah feel as if the future isn’t for them, Westover said.

Grace LeCates, a sophomore math major at Amherst College, lived in a small rural town in upstate New York before moving to Amherst.

“There was definitely an academic transition coming to Amherst,” LeCates said in an interview with the Collegian. “I felt like I spent my first semester catching up to my peers. Despite this, I am incredibly grateful for the community I grew up in. Growing up in a small town taught me to genuinely value the people and opportunities around me.”

Bryce Lauletta, a sophomore law, jurisprudence and social thought major at Amherst College from Pennsylvania, said being from a diverse town had prepared him for his time in Amherst.

“Downingtown is a pretty diverse place with exceptional public schools,” he said. “I think the diversity of people from my area prepared me well for the social side of college, while high expectations at school really set me up for success in academic and athletic life at Amherst.”

At the end of the lecture, Westover and Jack spoke about how to be empathetic. Since both authors came from different backgrounds, they spoke about how to form meaningful interactions with people from all walks of life.

Jack also advised the audience to “be very conscious with your interactions.”

Hannah Goldstein can be reached at [email protected].