Phoenyx Thomas did not expect to be “nominated for anything at this school.” A Creative Writing major from Hampton, NJ, she said receiving the email that she’d been recognized for demonstrating the Knight Code of Honor was unexpected, but made sense given who nominated her: her friend and fellow University of the Arts (UArts) transfer, Tamara Tarvin.

“She said that she nominated me because she knew about the struggles I went through in the process of adapting to Arcadia after the UArts closure,” Phoenyx said. Thus, Tarvin’s recognition was for Phoenyx’s adaptability, one of Arcadia’s Lived Values.

Phoenyx, now in her third year, chose to transfer to Arcadia for a variety of reasons.

“Arcadia gave me the flexibility between being independent, but also being able to visit home when needed. It also helped me stay close to friends, especially following the closure of UArts.”

Arcadia also offered Phoenyx a community where she could be herself; she lists discovering herself and being open about who she is as a queer person as her proudest accomplishment.

Outside of class, Phoenyx stays busy with extracurriculars like Writer’s Block and Cabaret, and is trying to get a few new clubs off the ground. She also enjoys solving puzzles, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time with friends.

For anyone who might be on the fence about recognizing a fellow Knight for exemplifying the Knight Code of Honor, Phoenyx says, “I think [it] allows more people to be aware of [the Lived Values], helping to spread the message that we can work together to create a brighter future.”