Graduate Profile: Siana B. Monet, MTS '23 

Memorable Moment 

There have been so many incredible moments that have marked the last two years. Here are some that stand out to me:  

• Listening to elderly monks in the Society of St. John the Evangelist recite stories of dirty pranks that they've played over the years.
• Crossing the finish line of the Manchester City Marathon after months of training with a friend.
• Hours and hours and hours of Zoom date nights with my partner––playing cards, watching bad TV shows, trying to make the distance feel less immense.
• Late-night conversations with revolutionaries, healers, mystics, artists, and brides-to-be.
• Reading selections from MLK's speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop" for HDS's convocation.
• Learning how to make exceptional fried green tomatoes, thanks to a Southern gentleman. 

Message of Thanks  

I'm indebted to Karen Grundler-Whitacre for her incredible mentorship over the course of my time at HDS. In addition to being a wonderful Summer Language Program professor, she advocated for me, believed in me, and made HDS feel a little more like home. She also has great nail salon recommendations!

I am deeply grateful for Yunyao Zhai and Leonard van der Kuijp, who were foundational in helping me begin to learn a language I always thought would be too difficult. Their patience and passion for Tibetan astrology have been huge motivators for me to continue learning classical Tibetan and aid in translation efforts in Bhutan.

Lastly, to the Brothers at the Society of St. John the Evangelist––thank you for the experience of a lifetime. Your compassion, generosity, integrity, and wisdom have taught me far more than any class could about how I want to be in the world. 

Future Plans 

I am so, so excited to be moving to Bhutan with my incredible partner. While working as teachers at Pelkhil, a K-12 school, we intend to go on long hikes, connect with monastic communities, and eat tons of momo!