| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My favorite time of year as a child was Christmas time. Coming from a large family it was tradition for all of us to get together for dinner Christmas Eve night. All of my cousins would get to see each other and play around as the rest of my family would catch up. I waited all year for the traditional Italian foods and deserts that my grandmother would make- she was an excellent cook. After dinner, our family would exchange gifts and my uncle would dress up as Santa Claus to pass them out to each of us. As a child it was a magical day complete with food, family, and gifts. Sadly, as most of the people from those memories have passed away those experiences with them will forever make me smile. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I identify with my paternal grandfather. I come from a very close Italian family. I would see my grandparents every Sunday for dinner. My grandfather was a great, kind, funny, and outgoing man. Everyone knew him and would smile when they saw him. His character shined throughout our community and it showed. He taught me to cherish family, have humility and morals, the importance of hard work, and how to be a good man. I am forever grateful to have had him as Grandfather and continue to hold him as my role model. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire honesty, compassion, humor, conscientiousness, the ability to adapt to change, and willingness to put in hard work to achieve one;s goals. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I was once given a lottery ticket by my uncle for Christmas one year. My eyes light up with excitement and I began to scratch each of the numbers. As I revealed each layer, the numbers began to match before my eyes. I couldn't believe my luck- The ticket was a winner! "$10,000!" I shouted out to my family only to look over at my uncle in the corner smiling deviously. I dropped my head in shame and knew I had been tricked. The tradition lives on as every Christmas I am forced to relive the experience by my family members who poke fun at how excited I was to finally win... One day. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If time and money were not an issue I would travel to Italy. My great grandparents from both sides of my family immigrated from Italy. Since they have immigrated to the states, none of my immediate family has traveled back to Italy. I am curious to see where my ancestors came from, experience the history, and of course enjoy the Italian cuisine. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I would pass on the same values which my family has instilled in me. I would teach them about responsibility and owning up to your mistakes. I would teach them that it is only through trying and failure do you learn. I would teach them to love, love life, and love the people you surround yourself with. I believe it is important to maintain a healthy work ethic but a healthy balance of work and leisure as well. I believe health and wellness are the keys to happiness. I would want to teach them that they should be grateful for the body they are given work and to keep it healthy. Lastly I would want to teach them a positive attitude goes a long way but a negative one represses your success. Above all, I would teach them to try their best in all situations life throws at them. |
