Editor’s note: The Daily’s editorial department acknowledges that this article is premised on a conflict of interest. This article is a special feature for Commencement 2026 that does not represent the Daily’s standard journalistic practices.
Graduating senior Sam Pokorny followed her interest in journalism and passion for photography by taking on the role of the Daily’s executive photo editor and later as social committee chair.
A New York City native, Pokorny is pursuing a career in social work and will be working at Boston Children’s Hospital to increase healthcare access and advocate for patients’ needs, helping them navigate the healthcare system. Pokorny described the current healthcare system as a “point of confusion in this world.”
“I had always liked science, but I didn’t like science in the sense of ‘the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell,’” Pokorny said. “I liked understanding how science and health impact people and therefore communities.”
Pokorny has had a longtime interest in community health, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic where she was impressed by vaccine programs and the promotion of mask-wearing. She was always interested in disease prevention and in reducing healthcare disparities through societal interventions.
For her senior capstone, she worked in a public health research lab at Massachusetts General Hospital focused on improving healthcare delivery for people who might not otherwise receive care, how people view healthcare services and how perceptions of these services can be improved.
Pokorny said she views her work with the Daily as more of a creative outlet than work.
“I loved getting to know people and also getting to know the Tufts community more because I feel like when [I’m] taking photos, I’m going to some random event that I would not have gone to otherwise,” she said.
One of Pokorny’s favorite projects with the Daily was a photo story she created of Read by the River, a campus-wide literacy initiative featuring reading activities in collaboration with local libraries and schools, sponsored by Tufts Hillel.
“I love going to events where we see the Tufts community engage with the Medford/Somerville community,” she said.
Pokorny said a photography class she took while studying abroad in Copenhagen significantly improved her skills.
“It was a three-hour class once a week and it was, honestly, sometimes, the death of me,” Pokorny said. She said that despite this, it prepared her to join the Daily’s executive board in the fall as an executive photo editor.
Pokorny rejected the idea that quality photography requires fancy equipment — a common notion that she said could intimidate some students from joining the photo section of the Daily.
“To tell [a] story, you don’t need the chunky equipment,” she said. “It’s all about having a good eye for photography.”
She also emphasized that no experience is required to join the Daily’s Photo section.
“I came in with nothing, and here I am,” she said.
In her role as social chair, Pokorny helped the managing board plan The Hunt, a Daily social event, host executive board bonding sessions and set up coffee chats between new and returning members of the Daily at the start of the semester.
“I make sure that people are getting to know people in the Daily,” she said.
With four years at Tufts behind her, Pokorny described the “this too shall pass” mindset that has brought her success.
“Nothing is truly ever that deep. If I get upset about something … it’s going to pass,” she said.
Pokorny gave final advice for the future.
“The only person who’s claiming [you] can’t do that is the voices in [your] head,” she said. “You have to change your mindset, these things will pass. … Every day is a new day. Every day comes with its own problems. Whatever is a problem now, might not be a problem tomorrow.”
