| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experience was getting my dog, Oreo. I remember driving hours to my grandparents’ house where my mom had gone after getting the dog. When my father and I arrived, my grandfather, a man who has an immense love for dogs, was sitting on the front porch with the tiniest puppy wrapped in a blanket. Oreo gave me a love for animals, many lessons on responsibility, and taught me what it's like to share a room with someone who snores constantly. She gave us a wonderful 12 years of life that I would not trade for anything. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I closely identify with both of my parents; I can happily say that I could never choose one over the other. I have inherited many great traits from both, and admittedly probably some I could do without. My mother is a compassionate, soft, person. My father is harsher and commands a little more respect but worked to help people for his entire career. Both are very hard workers who I have learned immeasurable amounts from. They are undoubtedly where I acquired a love for people, an appetite for learning, and a drive to succeed. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Generosity, integrity, and cooperation. Generous people are helpful people, and I have never been able to dislike someone who puts their effort into helping others. Integrity is important as an individual is only as good as their word. Cooperation is important too as building relationships is vastly important. One person can accomplish a lot, but people working together can accomplish much more. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | In elementary school we would get dropped off by our parents before school and then hang out outside the school waiting to eventually line up and go inside. One day, while waiting outside before school, a dog came up and was playing with a bunch of students in the field next to the school. I went over and the dog was very nice to me, I remember petting it for as long as I could before going into school. That night I came home raving about the nice dog I saw at school and how it liked me more than any of the other students. My dad became infuriated, which initially confused me. And that's how I found out my dad had to get our dog out of the pound after he had got off work. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I have always wanted to travel to Europe and backpack. Seeing a place where people have lived for so long and has such a wealth of history appears to be a great experience. Additionally, seeing the impressive architecture, and different cultures of different countries is very intriguing to me. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | If and when I ever have children of my own, I would like to pass on to them an appreciation of learning and relationships. The most fulfilling parts of my life, so far, have come from what I have learned and the relationships I have built with people. I believe that knowledge and companionship add meaning to life. |
