#leadwithhonors2020

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“As leaders, we can't always be people-pleasers. Letting us know in a few sentences, what was one of the most difficult decisions you have ever had to make as someone in a position of leadership?”

“For me, a decision that I still think on today happened years ago in a friendly game of jeopardy. With me being the de facto leader of my selected group (due to my knowledge on the subject) , I help led my group into being top team on the chart. However, after a brief moment of reviewing my conduct, I came to a crossroads, do I continue answering all these questions for the team or stand back to allow to learn, even if that means failure? In that moment, I decided on the former, and while we ending up tying for second place and my team thoroughly disliking me, I felt obligated to have learn and think on the material being shown instead of lounging around for me to do the heavy lifting, so that they may learn something at the end of the day.” Travis Stone

“Standing my ground. In a lot of my leadership positions, I wasn't much older than my group-members. Often I would get a lot of resistance on my rules and a lot of times I gave in. But at some point I had to learn to put my foot down and not give in. Although I didn't want my group-members to have a problem with me I knew it was inevitable. As a leader its not always gonna be promised that people will be happy with your decisions but as long as you know its the best thing for the group, then you can't give in.” Ellis Hudson

“I recently had to call someone out for not doing their job in an organization I am apart of. This meant talking to them respectfully and saying that I did not think they were carrying their weight in the organization. A conflict ensued but in the end we were able to see eye-to-eye and have not had the problem since. Communication is a skill that can be used to express the good in every situation but also to point out where others are lacking and may not always please the persons involved.” Jonathan Pinder

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Name: Travis Stone

Hometown: Tucker, Georgia

Major: History

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is . . . Cuzco, Peru. I went there for about a week and a half touring the country with a school group from high school. Peru itself is a beautiful country with interesting sights and people.

I love people who . . . are intelligent and witty, as it is important to always be sharp and ready for any circumstance. For me, these two traits can help distinguish greatness and make sense of worldly phenomenon

I can’t resist . . .  the quiet, because for me, in moments of absolute silence, you can take in more of the world and find peace with your thoughts.

I wish I could . . . fly, I’ve always had aspirations of being up in the clouds. Hopefully, once I find the time and courage, I wish to eventually earn a pilot���s license and purchase a small personal aircraft to fly around the continental United States.

Like a Panther, I . . . can be quiet and cunning. I find it very easy to both sneak up on people if you’re both very discreet and quiet, and I find myself sometimes conjuring up interesting solutions to problems that come my way.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . . Chicken lasagna, especially from the DeKalb Farmer’s Market, as it both has several key food groups and it tastes exquisite.

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . .  try wasabi, as I was hyped to try such an exotic food and was found to be a major disappointment to my taste buds.

One day I want to live . . . in Mongolia, as I wish to be closer to a culture and people that are so close to both their roots of pastoralism and their impressively beautifully expanse of land.

My dream internship is . . . being an apprentice to a metalsmith. I’ve been fascinated by the craftsmanship and skill put into making the various versions of swords, knives, and other melee weapons I have seen. I would love to know how to make such amazing specimens of metalwork one day, maybe when I retire.

I hope that LEAD with Honors will . . . help mold my personality towards a more go-getter, accomplished person who will never shy away from challenges. I hope that by the end of this program, I will become more comfortable at naturally assembling and leading groups of people to outstanding accomplishment.

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Name: Scout Morgan

Hometown: Columbus, GA

Major: Public Policy

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is … Marble, Colorado. Last summer I went on an Outward Bound excursion where we rock climbed, learned orienteering skills, and hiked a fourteener. The Rocky Mountains are beautiful and verdant in July.  

I love people who . . . have passion for life. Anyone that clearly is excited about what they’re doing is fascinating to me; I’ve been equally enthralled by a class on European history pre-1500 and the local bike mechanic explaining the intricacies of bicycle gears.  

I can’t resist . . . good food. I started out as a picky eater, but now I love sampling all kinds of new and exciting food. I’ve eaten crickets, larvae, and octopus, but most of the time I prefer pasta and Thai food. My nana was the cook of my family, and to this day I still associate a delicious meal with the warmth and love of Nana’s house.

I wish I could . . . sing. I loved the Disney Princesses when I was a kid, and many of my friends can sing beautifully. Unfortunately, I cannot carry a tune in a bucket.

Like a Panther, I . . . like to be in the forest and jungle. I find being surrounded by tall trees very comforting; the forest is a beautiful escape from the humdrum of everyday life.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . . Pad Thai. Columbus had the best local Thai restaurant, and their Pad Thai was to die for. I would cajole my parents into going there every chance I got.  

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . . rough it in the Colorado Rockies for seven days with no showers. I enjoyed being outdoors and pushing my limits through the hike up a fourteener, rappelling off of a cliff face, and building my own shelter. However, I greatly enjoy being able to take a shower every day, especially after strenuous physical activities. While I am intensely grateful for the experience I gained on my trip, I will not sign up for any kind of trip without plumbing again.

One day I want to live . . . in the mountains. I love the smell of the air, the breathtaking scenery, and the prevalence of wildlife. I spent most of my summers in the Appalachians, and I still have a deep love for the Smokies.

My dream internship is . . . the Office of Policy Analysis under the Department of the Interior. I love the National Park System, and being able to use Public Policy to benefit the Department of the Interior would be a dream come true.

I hope that LEAD with Honors will enable me to have confidence in myself and my abilities to lead others. I want to make a difference in the world, and I hope that LEAD will give me the tools to maximize my effective leadership skills.

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Name: Nicolas Northen

Hometown: Milton, Georgia

Major: International Business

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is . . . Singapore. I used to live in Hong Kong, so I’m considering “home” to be Georgia. It was a toss-up between Singapore, Thailand, & China but on a map, Singapore is the furthest away.

I love people who . . . love people.

I can’t resist . . . chocolate covered raisins. Much like Oreos & warm chocolate chip cookies, I cannot just have one. The difference is, Raisenetts do not get very filling so it’s easier to eat a whole box without realizing.

I wish I could . . . get in shape while eating whatever I want. I want to have a 6-pack, but do not want to give up Doritos, Oreos, or ice cream.

Like a Panther, I . . . I typically will not show aggression unless backed into a corner.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . . the “You Pick Two” meal from Panera with a Steak & White Cheddar Panini (without Horse Radish) + a Macaroni and Cheese in a bread bowl, with water and a green apple on the side.

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . . read a Facebook post that begins with the phrase: “I normally don’t post anything political, but…”

One day I want to live . . . at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  (#Northen2044)

My dream internship is . . . in the office of George Kalogridis, the president of Disney World Resorts. I love the Disney company, and the president of Disney World is one of the few American businessman that functions as the “decision maker” while also balancing an aspect of “governing” the people that work and enjoy resorts. He is essentially a private-sector governor, and I could learn so much by interning in his office.

I hope that LEAD with Honors will . . . continue to develop my leadership skills to be able to empower, improve, and lead members on my teams later in life to exceed bold goals.

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Name: Kanika Tykea Waters

Hometown: Suffolk, Virginia

Major: Pre-Nursing

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is . . . Fort Sam Houston, Texas. I had to complete training to be awarded the Military Occupational Specialty as a Health Care Specialist. This is where I formed bonds with people that are working in this field all over the world.

I love people who . . . can make me laugh. I love to laugh and I like being around people who appreciate a good sense of humor. Laughter is truly good for the soul for it’s one of the things that makes me happy. If you can make me laugh or smile, you have a friend in me.

I can’t resist . . . finding new organizations to get involved in. It is so much to do on this campus and I have some difficulty narrowing my choices to commitments I know I have the time for. I want to do it all, there’s just not enough time in the day.

I wish I could . . . take everyone I love on a big vacation. The people that have played a significant role in my life have made a huge impact on my perspective and I cannot imagine a better way to spend time with the people I love where they have time to relax and enjoy one another’s company.

Like a Panther, I . . . lead by example. I stand firm in my beliefs and values and I am truly a living definition that you cannot do what you want to do until you do what you have to do. My work ethic has opened many doors for me to accomplish the few goals I set out to accomplish.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . . pizza and breadsticks. Pizza is my favorite food and I could not stay away from bread if someone paid me.

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . . allow anyone to dictate to me what I can and cannot do. I am strongly focused on my goals and once I have set my mind to do something, there is nothing anyone can tell me to deter me otherwise.

One day I want to live . . . in Georgia. I feel that I have work to do here in Georgia. I am not sure where as of yet but I know that my motivation to be here is knowing that I will be able to make a difference somehow, someway.

My dream internship is . . . working with nurses and other healthcare professionals in a clinical environment where our service is not restricted to the hospital. I want to get a better idea of the clinical environment of my dream career however, I would also like to provide medical related services that are given outside of the hospital such as health fairs, blood drives, and field medicine.

I hope that LEAD with Honors will . . . enhance my leadership capabilities and allow me to target my strengths and weaknesses that allow me to be a successful student here at Georgia State University and a role model everywhere. This program is an honor to be a part of and I plan to work hard to be the leader I have always wanted to be.

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Name: Jonathan Pinder

Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas

Major: Computer Science

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is… Manhattan, New York City. I spent a day in Manhattan during Spring break. It was amazing to see the State of Liberty, Wall Street and to walk around the busiest streets in America.

I love people who … are selfless. It’s rare to find people who are selfless but not submissive. I enjoy being in their company because they are very uplifting and you can always feel comfortable around them. Their goal is to make sure they bring you to the top with them.

I can’t resist… adventure. I enjoy outdoor hikes, water sports and travelling. I live in the moment, so it’s really exciting to do something you’ve never done before… especially if it’s an adrenaline rush.

Like a Panther, I… am always on the prowl. I try to always be on the look out for new opportunities or new things to experience. When I find them, I pounce.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be… conch salad, a native dish back at home. It’s a mix of different vegetables and conch with lime juice to give it a slight kick.

One thing that I’ll never do again is… quit something. I’ve had experiences where I decided to stop doing things and my experience up to now is that it always comes back to haunt me.

One day I want to live… on a boat with my family for a few months. I’d be able to move around with my entire family with me. It would be nice to be able to bring the world to my family instead of my family to the world.

My dream internship is… with a fintech startup company that is in its early stages. It would complement both my interest in finance and my area of study by giving a taste of both worlds. Also, I think it would be a good experience to see what it takes to start a company from the ground up, because it’s something I’d like to do.

I hope that LEAD with Honors will… open my eyes to what being a leader is truly about. I hope that the cohort will be supportive of and lead each other towards everyone’s individual leadership goal.

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Name: Joana Marie Cruz

Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Stockbridge, Georgia

Major: Marketing

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is … to the Philippine Islands. This past Christmas, my family and I traveled to the Philippines after not being able to visit our family for fourteen years. We stayed at my Lola’s home in Tatay and my father’s home in Pulilan.

I love people who . . . are easy to talk to. As someone who thoroughly enjoys conversation, I get slightly self-conscious when I speak with others because I’m afraid that there are instances in which I talk too much. With that being said, I feel a lot better about myself when I encounter someone with the same amount of interest and investment in a conversation.

I can’t resist . . . performing. I’ve been performing almost my entire life and it’s something that’s always found its way back to me, whether it be acting, singing, dancing, etc. Even during high school, when I tried to focus more on my studies and take a break from performance life, I would always find myself back on stage.

I wish I could . . . be good at sports. Growing up, sports never came easy to me. I would always get picked last and I was never as skilled as those around me. Between me and my older sister, I was always the one who thrived in the arts while she dominated in athletics.

Like a Panther, I . . . am protective. When my loved ones are hurt, I feel hurt as well. Because of this, I have the constant need to protect and make sure that they never have to encounter any harm again.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . . white rice with spam and fried eggs. White rice with spam and fried eggs is a common Filipino breakfast dish that I have been surviving off of throughout my entire college experience. There has not been one day in which I’ve gotten sick of it.

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . . postpone receiving my flu shot (no matter how scared I am!). I missed my very first day of spring semester because I ended up catching the flu after I returned home from the Philippines. I was completely bedridden and ached all over. It was awful.

One day I want to live . . . in Manhattan, New York. I want to live in a cozy studio apartment with a balcony that overlooks the city. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl.

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Name: Jeffrey Triemer

Hometown: Buford, GA

Major: Finance

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is . . . Washington, D.C. when I was in third grade with my Mom and my older brother. I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that my fondest memory from our great nation’s historic capitol was falling asleep to James Cameron’s Titanic as we hid from the rain in our hotel and scarfed down pizza.

I love people who . . . can make me laugh. I like to think I have a good sense of humor, but sometimes I find myself caught up in a stern daze. Getting caught off-guard with a good joke can completely turn my mood.

I can’t resist . . . a road trip. I love the adventure, exploration and the process of it all.

I wish I could . . . speak another language. Probably a romance language, but who knows? Never say never, though!

Like a Panther, I . . . prefer warm weather. I loathe stepping outdoors to anything below 60 degrees. I’ve been known to wear gloves in my own home during the winter.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . . pizza. This is a hard question to answer for me because I love variety in foods. No matter what food I pick I’d probably want to move off, so it is best to pick something you can switch up, like pizza for its toppings.

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . . wax my leg. I did it for a show I was in during high school. Since I didn’t trim beforehand like I was later told I should have, there was blood. More importantly, since I only waxed one leg to avoid completely abandoning my masculinity, I couldn’t wear shorts with a clear mind for roughly six months.

One day I want to live . . . a bike ride from a beach. As much as I dislike the cold, I love warm weather. I was born in Tampa and have family I visit every year in Pensacola. It would be great to retire or work from home there.

My dream internship is . . . a summer working for Goldman Sachs at the headquarters in New York. Not only would it be a dream come true to work among the kind of incredible talent they pull, but New York in the summer would be incredible. I’d cram the summer with absorbing every bit of learning I can from the internship and all the culture in the city. I want to experience the theatre there, too!

I hope that LEAD with Honors will . . . instill in me the skills necessary to seek out for myself a meaningful career where I can positively impact others’ lives.

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Name: Alec Barrena

Hometown: Cartersville, GA

Major: Biological Science

The furthest I’ve traveled from home is . . . Washington, DC. My friend invited me up there for spring break a few years ago. I was only sixteen years old, but I managed to safely fly there and back by myself. Once I got there, my friend and I navigated the entire National Mall, went to a Washington Capitals game, and took part in the Cherry Blossom Festival. I consider the trip to be my defining moment of independence, especially after rescheduling a flight that got cancelled five minutes before takeoff with no available substitutes.

I love people who . . . can laugh about their mistakes and carry on. As long as the person is still interested in bettering the situation and/or originally did it with good intent, I find that characteristic to be both admirable and indicative of maturity.

I can’t resist . . . milk. I drink it like most people drink coffee.

I wish I could . . . sing. I think it’s my greatest limitation in trying to write original music. I would also like to say “yes” to a karaoke invitation at least once in my life.  

Like a Panther, I . . . have an inconsistent sleep schedule. Sometimes I’ll sleep for a few hours. Sometimes I’ll sleep for more than twenty hours. It depends on how busy I am.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be. . .

Up until about a few years ago, the answer would have been macaroni and cheese; however, any kind of traditional taco that has a soft shell corn tortilla, cheese, some kind of meat, habanero salsa, lime juice, onion, and a lot of cilantro would be ideal for the rest of my life.

One thing that I’ll never do again is . . . contract pneumonia (hopefully).

One day I want to live . . . in a place like Finland. My favorite kind of day is brisk and overcast. Winter is definitely my favorite season, so anywhere that is cold year round would make me fairly happy.

My dream internship is . . . anything to do with the death industry. My ultimate goal is to become a forensic pathologist/medical examiner. I believe that job is just as much about solving cases as it is preventing them. They speak for those who can no longer speak. After a brief morgue apprenticeship in high school, I am positive that death is my career of choice. To me, it is a way to be unusually involved with the community, but in a more behind-the-scenes way. The same goes for funeral directors, crime scene cleanup, cemetery workers, and coroners. They are the unsung heroes of the Western world.

I hope that LEAD with Honors will . . . further enrich my education and experience at Georgia State. I absolutely fell in love with this school the first time I toured it. I am beyond grateful that I was able to select this school, as I am the first in my family to attend university of any kind. The LEAD with Honors program so far appears to be an astounding program of brilliant likeminded individuals interested in bettering both themselves, their families, and their communities. I am ecstatic to have joined such a wonderful group, and I sincerely hope that our connections will last somewhere far beyond our college careers. As for now, let’s focus on becoming leaders!