Meet our students: Sondra Flores-Reyes

Name: Sondra Flores-Reyes

Birth: April 22^nd 1998

Major: English Secondary Education

Year: First-Year

Sondra Flores- Reyes during her internship at Chamberlain Elementary School, in Goshen.

When and where were you happiest?

I don’t remember much of my childhood years – what I do remember is good – and my early teenage years haven’t been the greatest. In fact, they’re what have made me the person I am today and why my life is filled with as much happiness as I can find. So, now is the happiest time for me because of my family, friends, and the fact that I’m going to college for something I love.

What was one of the most defining moments in your life?

My most defining moment is a sad and powerful one that I have been using to my advantage ever since. I was twelve when I acquired a mental disorder, Schizophrenia, because of a traumatic event. Though it is often seen as a burden, it has helped me see life in a new way and I’m glad that I had the chance to discover myself in a new light; a fractured light that still shines bright in the darkness.

If you were president, what is the first thing you would do?

If I were to become president, I would first thank America for electing a Wiccan, Hispanic woman and then move to amend and put into motion laws and regulations for affordable healthcare for everyone in the country. I believe that everyone deserves the right to seek medical attention if they need it or a simple visit to the doctor for a cold that won’t go away.

What does a perfect day look like to you?

A perfect day for me would include a distant thunderstorm with soft rain. I’d sit inside all day with my family and, though we’d probably argue about which movie to watch, we’d eventually decide on a few titles and have a Movie Marathon Night with some of our favorites genres. There’d be popcorn, candy, blankets, and lots of dumb jokes.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I think I would change my anger. If I’m every angry about something, I tend to hold it in and prefer to be alone. Sometimes I meditate but sometimes I just ignore the problem. I’d prefer to meditate than allow myself to boil.

QUICK ANSWERS

What do you feel most proud of? I’m proud that I’m still trying and have a plan for myself.

What is your strongest personal quality? I think I’m a good writer and can turn just about anything into a beautiful piece of writing.

What is a skill you would like to learn and why? I’d love to learn to knit because you never know when you’ll need to make a sweater.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I say “cool beans” and “upsetti” more than I’d like to admit.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Faith.

What teacher in school made the most impact on you and why? I’d have to say my twelve grade English teacher, Jeremiah Wade. He showed me techniques in writing and helped me edit my pieces so that I came to college with work under my belt.

Best childhood memory: My best childhood memory would have to be my mom tucking me into bed at night, telling me “Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite; if they do smack ‘em with a shoe and say ‘I don’t want to sleep with you.’”

What is your most marked characteristic? I’m a clown and love to make people laugh.

Which living person do you most admire? My grandfather.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Probably Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

What is it that you most dislike? I can’t stand people who expect everything to be handed to them.