Senior brings people together with potluck dinners and a passion for different cultures

Senior brings people together with potluck dinners and a passion for different cultures

When asked about his plans for the future, Romantra Spence consults his notes app—a color-coordinated chronological list of his plans that includes publishing a novel by age 25, creating an animated TV series by 28, and being fluent in at least four languages by 30. He is organized and outgoing, viewing the list not so much as a mountain he must overcome but as a certainty—things he knows he will do when he gets the chance. It comes as no surprise that his top strength is Strategic.

Romantra’s eclectic taste and determination extends beyond just his goals for the future. He loves experiencing the world and its people. “Few can muster the genuine interest in others that Romantra pulls off with ease,” said his nominator. “He is often found learning new phrases in French, playing Chinese checkers, sampling Italian cooking, and listening to Spanish music.”

This passion for discovering and experiencing the different cultures of the world is apparent through everything Romantra does: whether that’s salsa dancing downtown, going to soccer games with his residents, or writing stories with characters of all different colors and creeds.

Romantra is majoring in Creative Technologies in Art within the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, with a minor in Creative Writing. Creating and consuming art are experiences he says are crucial to his life and career.

Outside of class, Romantra spends his time painting, creating vibrant and dazzling masterpieces that showcase the beauties and intensities of the world.

This is Romantra’s final year at Virginia Tech, and after graduation in May he hopes to land a job in animation so that he can continue telling stories through his art and writing. During his time in Blacksburg, his experiences have ranged from his jobs in dining and as an R.A., volunteering at nursing homes and bible schools, and helping to run the Filmmakers at VT club.

But of all the things he has accomplished at Virginia Tech, Romantra is proudest of what he calls “Romantra’s Kitchen”—a potluck dinner for his residents aimed at creating community and discussion. He said, “The power of the potluck is that it works to bring people together. You’re picking up a chip and someone else is picking up a chip and then a conversation happens.” Many of his residents in Harper and Mozaiko are international, and Romantra has found that food can be a cross-cultural unifier of people from all over the world.

“It is his caring attitude that unifies the far scattered residents of Mozaiko; Romantra is the cement that holds it all together, and he remains true to himself, his role, and his heritage,” said his nominator.

Romantra’s advice is, “Always be willing to expand your horizons.” He said that the friends that he has made and his most valued experiences have come from stepping out of his own comfort zone.

At the very bottom of his notes app with his goals for the future, there is an item entitled simply “Scholarship.” Romantra wants to create and fund a scholarship based on the arts, so that people who don’t excel in standardized testing or essay writing can showcase their artistic brilliance and earn the chance at an affordable college education. Even now, knee deep in the tornado of his own homework and responsibilities, Romantra is planning how he can help the future generation of students.