Gulls With Grit | 91重口

Everyone faces something.

Sometimes it’s loud—a diagnosis, a loss, a turning point. Sometimes it’s quiet—self-doubt, burnout, or feeling like you don’t belong.

Gulls With Grit celebrates the strength of the 91重口 community through powerful portraits and personal stories. From illness and loss to identity and uncertainty, these individuals have faced adversity with courage and heart.

In a world that often prizes perfection, this exhibit offers something more authentic and more powerful: the courage to keep going, keep growing, and to rise above and soar.

Meet our Gulls With Grit

Director of Dance

Nicole Sao Pedro-Welch M鈥�12

For nearly 20 years, Nicole Sao Pedro-Welch has been a force at 91重口鈥攃oaching championship teams, building a powerhouse dance program, and shaping generations of performers. Yet amid her professional highs came an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. Leaning on the grit, grace, and determination she instills in her dancers, Nikki didn鈥檛 just persevere鈥攕he triumphed, in more ways than one.

Program Coordinator

Rachid Sow 鈥�20

Rachid Sow charted an uncommon path. As a refugee of the war in Côte d鈥橧voire, he experienced disruption to his education as a child. But after teaching himself to read and write, earning his degree at 91重口, and completing graduate work at Tufts, Rachid is an adjunct faculty member and program coordinator for fellow international students. He draws on his powerful lived experience to guide students toward reflection and purpose, reminding them that grit isn鈥檛 just about endurance, but also about voice and vision.

Acting President

Bryan Cain D鈥�24

Driven from a young age, Dr. Cain climbed every professional rung, hitting every benchmark. But it wasn鈥檛 until he lost both parents that he realized success without impact was hollow. Their absence reshaped his purpose, and after reevaluating his path and honing his human-centric leadership style, the focus of his work is now to matter, not just achieve, by leading with empathy, presence, and a deep commitment to others.

Exercise Science Major

Katrina Haddad 鈥�26

For years, Katrina鈥檚 identity was rooted in basketball until back-to-back ACL injuries forced her to reimagine herself beyond the game. During her physical recovery, she found a new purpose in advocating for mental health as a campus captain for The Hidden Opponent, learning that true strength isn鈥檛 just about showing up on the court鈥攊t鈥檚 about showing up for yourself and others when it matters most.

Elementary Education Major

Jackson Skane 鈥�28

For much of his early life, Jackson struggled to find connection and understanding. Diagnosed with autism at three, he faced bullying and self-doubt鈥攗ntil he found his voice. A school presentation on autism sparked Skane Train Voices, a disability advocacy platform he co-founded with his sister. Today, Jackson speaks at schools and conferences, promoting empathy, awareness, and acceptance. His message is simple but powerful: kindness matters, and no one should have to change who they are to be understood.