 I
am happy to proclaim that I am a Homegrown Valdostan, born and
raised here in the beautiful Azalea City of Peach State Georgia.
Since 1977 when my parents first immigrated to the United
States, my family has been serving Valdosta in the restaurant
industry for over 27 years. We currently operate the
Marco Polo
Restaurant specializing in international cuisine and offer a
buffet-style dining and catering service. Throughout the years,
Valdosta has given us so many great opportunities and faithful
support, and my family has been very
thankful to the community
and our best customers.
For the
2004-2005 year, I received a scholarship from the
Valdosta State University Alumni Foundation. I graduated
from Valdosta State University in December 2000 with a Bachelors
of Arts in Philosophy and a minor in International Studies.
During my undergraduate college career, I actively participated
in several clubs and organizations, including
Honors Program,
Debate Club, Student Government, International Students
Association, and I was the recipient of several financial aid
awards such as HOPE, Odum House Scholarship, Student Development
Grant, and Debate Scholarship. Meanwhile, I maintained a high
3.5 GPA, and upon graduation, I went overseas to
teach English
as a Second Language in Japan as an exchange teacher, and
continued to represent Valdosta and VSU everywhere I traveled.
After 2 years of teaching abroad in Asia, I realized that
Teaching would be my passion in life. I came back home to
Valdosta to fill in as an
ESL teacher for VSU International
Programs for 2 years while pursuing an ESOL teaching certificate
with the Education Department. Along the way, I enrolled in a
Masters Degree Program from the Political Science Department in
Public Administration, and through the way of a graduate
assistantship, I currently started work as a
mentor in the
Graduate School, specializing in assisting and tutoring incoming
Graduate students in improving their test-taking skills and
scores on the GRE, MAT, and GMAT. As VSU grows in enrollment
(VDT, Tuesday, 8/17/04, Pg. A1), better scores on standardized
tests like the GRE, MAT and GMAT will guarantee and contribute
to higher educational standards.
I
believe
in higher education, and I believe that VSU has been the best
university to help me pursue my educational goals. I believe
that I have taken all the great opportunities VSU had to give
and have given the best of myself back in everything I have
done.
I am very
grateful and blessed to be a part of VSU, and no matter where I
go in life, I will always keep in a very special place in my
heart for Valdosta and VSU.
For more
information about my self, please visit my
"Getting
to Know You" page. Or please see my
page
about Stewart DeMersseman, who has known me since childhood
and makes up a very special part of my life. Or feel free
to fill out
my "Getting to Know You questionnaire" to tell me about
yourself. |
