Duke Honor Council relaunched its annual essay contest this year for the incoming Class of 2021 to give them an opportunity to reflect on and expand upon the ideas portrayed in their common experience reading of Richard Blanco’s The Prince of Los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood. Along with their copy of the book, the members of the Class of 2021 were provided a card that outlined our essay contest prompt: “In the Prince of Los Cocuyos, Richard Blanco struggles to define his personal identity and reconcile conflicting cultural norms and expectations. In diverse settings – whether on Miami’s beaches or in Duke’s Gothic Wonderland – how should individuals respond to community imposed pressures to co
The Duke University Honor Council was privileged to help welcome the Class of 2021 during O-Week with messages on honor and integrity delivered by council chair Kushal Kadakia. He delivered a welcoming address (transcript below) to the entire class followed by a signing of the Duke Community Standard banner, and he led an informational session on academic integrity. Read the transcript of his speech below: Good evening Class of 2021! My name is Kushal Kadakia – I’m a junior serving as the Chairman of the Duke Honor Council – and I am so excited to welcome you to campus tonight. Today has probably been a bit of a blur – new faces, sights, and sounds. And as you’ve begun to meet the rest of yo
