When Candela Escolar ’24 and Samira Umpierre ’24 met as kindergartners in North Miami, they could not have anticipated that they would one day graduate from college together in New York City. Now their friendship has taken them from grade school through Barnard.
As alumna Anna Quindlen ’74 wrote in her memoir Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, “The thing about old friends is not that they love you, but that they know you.” And for the two graduating seniors, it has been a grounding experience to be by each other’s sides these past four years at the College. “It was helpful to feel like I have family here,” said Escolar.
The two Miami natives first met in an aftercare program when they were only 5 years old. Though different in personality, they quickly found that they balanced out each other. “Candela used to be a bit shy when we were kids and I was more outgoing,” said Umpierre, who is graduating with a degree in architecture.
“Samira drew me out,” recalled Escolar, who is on the pre-med track. “She decided when we were young that I was going to be her best friend.”
“Even when [we] weren’t in the same class in elementary school, [we’d] sneak to each other’s tables in the lunchroom,” said Umpierre.
The two pursued different interests: Umpierre did ballet while Escolar was into sports. “Candela was more outdoorsy,” said Umpierre. “She was never afraid to look for bugs and lizards like I was.”
But there were also plenty of commonalities. Both women came from families who emigrated from South America — Umpierre is Peruvian and Escolar is Argentinian. Neither had many family members in the United States, and so they “found family in one another” and in their other best friend, Chelsea, who stayed in Miami for college.
When it came time to apply to college, they were both drawn to Barnard. Escolar applied early; Umpierre applied for regular admission. “It was a happy coincidence we both ended up at Barnard,” said Umpierre.
Their first semester was remote due to the pandemic, but in the spring, they made plans to live on campus and room together. They both began as biology majors, but their interests soon diverged, allowing them to branch out. Umpierre spent time in the design studio, while Escolar was increasingly busy with her labs. But they always came together, exploring the city and attending Broadway shows and concerts. This year, they decided to live apart, and even that, they say, has made them closer.
And soon, for the first time, the two friends might find themselves in different cities. Next year, Escolar will be taking post-baccalaureate classes for medical school in Miami, and Umpierre hopes to take off to Paris before applying to grad school for architecture. Both are happy, though, that they will overlap for a few months this summer in Miami before embarking on these separate adventures.
Asked how they feel about being apart soon, both seemed unfazed. The certainty is unsurprising. “I think we are both really secure in our friendship and know that even though we may not see each other all the time, we will always make time for one another and keep in touch,” said Umpierre. “Our friendship also grew all through elementary and middle school while being in different classes, so I think that is a testament to our bond.”
Barnard Bonds and Beyond
