Claire Kraemer

My name is Claire Kraemer and I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of the Baldwin Class of 2023. Considering that I never anticipated to be a part of Duke's Class of 2023, I can't begin to articulate how ecstatic I am to be given the opportunity to be surrounded by such an engaged, intelligent, and enthusiastic group of women in this program.
 

I am originally from a one-square-mile town just outside of New York City called Bronxville, NY. There, I went to the same school for thirteen years that was just down the street from where I lived. I was heavily involved in my school, whether that was through sports, the arts, or student government. Through all of this, I craved travel and excitement. I knew I had to get out of my bubble to be introduced to ideas that challenged my own and learn more about who I was outside of my immediate community.
 

When I graduated, my family moved across the country to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and I embarked on a gap year shortly thereafter. On my gap year, I traveled across South America and learned about what it meant to be open to other people and cultures. I loved to engage with the unknown. I began to understand how limited my views were about other countries. I also fell in love with being outdoors, and the connections that can be made with others in nature. I am an avid writer and photographer and found out how much I love to tell stories, whether it be through written word or visual image. 

 

I believe in challenging oneself to do something that scares you, because the limitations we set for ourselves are normally mental. This was one of my goals on my year abroad, and something I plan to continue doing at Duke with the help of Baldwin. I also am a huge advocate of making people feel appreciated, and therefore practice gratitude whenever I can. I try to live by the words of Maya Angelou when she said "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
 

I have two older brothers who have both graduated from college who inspire me to be passionate and driven. My mom and dad are my greatest supporters, and the people who pushed me to apply for Baldwin. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the familial support system that I do, because they see potential even when I can't see it in myself.