Polly Irungu

Age: 18

Year: Freshman

Major: Journalism

Polly Irungu is an independent photographer, an outreach coordinator for the Black Women of Achievement and a volunteer in the childcare department at her church. She was nominated as one of our 25 Ducks because she “gives her all to help others around her.”

How do you want to change the world?

When you stop believing one person in the world cannot make a difference, differences in the world will be made. I believe every little thing adds up and so far I think I’m on the right track. I don’t know what the future holds for me but I would like to inspire others, like my little brother, that anything is possible when you have faith and determination. Education is really important to me and the rest of my family and I hope to take what I learn here at Oregon back to Kenya or wherever else life takes me and impact at least one person’s life for the better.  Change starts with ourselves and coming to Oregon from Kansas and Kenya has changed me for the better because I’ve learned and grown tremendously as a person. Just taking things one step at a time.

Why are you at the UO?

My mom works here at the UO and I also received the diversity excellence scholarship. The scholarship is for people who are really involved in high school, have a good GPA, involved in the community and will add diversity to the campus.