| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experience would definitely have to be the initial move to the United States from my native country of Venezuela. Although we had visited here many times, everyone and everything I had ever known- my family, my school, my classmates, my language, were all completely left behind in a far-away continent. Although initially difficult, moving to the United States proved to be one of the most influential events in my life, an experience that is most definitely a major contributor in the person I am today. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I think that, within my immediate family, I identify with my father the most closely. For one, we have a very similar demeanor. We share a mutually prominent sense of humor and appreciation of jokes and pranks, as well as an overall outgoing personality. Furthermore, I've always admired my dad's hard work ethic, and seek to emulate it to the best of my ability. Lastly, he and I share a lot of interests; music, history and film being among the most interesting for us. Overall, my dad and I have always been relatively close, which has helped me identify with him greatly. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I really admire focus and determination in a person. Despite my best efforts, I sometimes find myself straying off task or procrastinating an important event, task or assignment. Whenever I encounter a person that can look past distractions and deviations and remain entirely focused on a goal I find it very commendable. The ability to remain humble and open-minded also stands out in my eyes. I often encounter students and adults who believe themselves superior or removed from a certain outside group or school of thought. One's relative success should not breed intolerance for those who think or act differently, and someone who has accomplished much while simultaneously maintaining an accepting, humble attitude is truly an admirable individual. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | When I was in the 5th grade, around the age of eleven, a few of my friends and I got assigned the new, young teacher. Accordingly, we grew to develop pretty big crushes on her, and began to joke about our affection for her. One day, when our teacher was running slightly late, I found myself in a particularly daring mood and approached the board, writing in large letters "Will you marry me?" in an effort to make my friends laugh. As I finished and several laughs were had, I quickly went to erase the message... Only to discover I had accidentally written it in permanent marker. My frantic attempts to erase it were in vain, and the class erupted in laughter as our teacher walked in and herself let out a laugh, eventually responding that if she wasn't seeing someone she'd say yes. I was beyond embarrassed for months, but looking back it still makes me chuckle. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If I could travel freely, I would definitely love to sail through the Mediterranean, stopping at major cities in Spain, Italy and Greece. Although I've been to Europe before, I've never had the chance to explore this beautiful region, which has always enticed me. It has some historical ties to me as well, since my family lineage traces back to Spain and Sicily, the latter being where a family member recently got married; sharing some of the most beautiful landscape pictures I've ever seen. I would first have to learn how to sail, but without time and money restrictions I could think of no better trip to take. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I think one of the most important things my parents have passed down to me is the idea that my life is of my own creation. If/when I have children, I'd like them to be able to grasp this idea; that it is important to craft your own path and create something for yourself. My grandfather was able to reach a high level of success in his own companies entirely though his own hard work and devotion, and one day I hope I can create something that my grandchildren can marvel at with the same level of respect. Additionally, a sense of hard work and responsibility is essential to achieve this, and I would try my best to instill this in my children. |
