From Georgia to Academia: Meet Emily
Hello, I’m Osayuwamen Jeffery, and today I have the pleasure of getting to know Emily Hawkins, a passionate student whose journey from the warm, humid climes of Georgia to the halls of Sewanee: The University of the South is as inspiring as it is intriguing. In our conversation, Emily shared insights into her background, her academic pursuits, and her love for arts and languages.
Growing Up in Georgia
“I grew up in Georgia, in the southeast; it’s a bit hot and humid,” Emily begins. She has a younger brother who is still in high school and fondly recalls her own time in a regular public high school. “I prefer arts and writing, German language, and German culture,” she says, reflecting on her early interests. Emily’s passion for these subjects led her to pursue English as a major and German as a minor in college.
A Passion for Arts and Languages
Emily is currently studying at the University of the South, a college renowned for its strong English program. “I love the college, and it has a great reputation in the English major,” she says. Emily’s dedication to her studies is evident, as she balances her major in English with minors in German and politics. She declared German as her minor in 2023 and is taking German art history this fall to complete her minor requirements.
Key Experiences from Childhood
Emily’s childhood was filled with enriching experiences that shaped who she is today. “When I was younger, I was in a gifted program, though we didn’t call it a gifted program. We called it the enrichment program,” she recalls. This program took her and other students out of regular classes once a week for advanced studies in subjects like algebra and history, fostering a competitive academic spirit. A standout memory for Emily is her mother helping her memorize a speech by Julius Caesar for an end-of-year event. “I remember I forgot a couple of parts, but otherwise I did quite well and it’s a key memory for me because it helped me get over my fear of public speaking.”
Influential Role Models
Emily finds it challenging to pinpoint specific role models, as many people have influenced her throughout her life. However, she fondly remembers her teachers from the gifted program in elementary school. One teacher, in particular, made a lasting impression by emphasizing the importance of understanding current events and the benefits of drinking water for health. “Now I never drink anything but water and the occasional sweet tea,” Emily says. “She was pretty amazing.” This teacher’s focus on health also sparked Emily’s interest in studying biology and health studies.
Academic and Career Beginnings
Emily’s love for literature and history naturally led her to study English. “I love studying literature; I love studying the way we use it to shape the way we communicate with one another on a day-to-day basis,” she explains. Despite struggling with math, Emily’s parents encouraged her to take advanced classes, which helped her excel academically. “I really like biology, especially AP Biology, and I had good grades in those classes.”
Professional Achievements
One of Emily’s significant achievements is her recent invitation to join the English National Honor Society. “I wasn’t sure if I would be invited because my grades this semester were not as good. One of the requirements was active participation in the classes you attended,” she shares. Emily’s genuine interest in her classes and respectful engagement in discussions paid off, and she was excited to be inducted into the society in the spring of 2024.
Discovering A2S
Emily learned about A2S last year through her college’s ACE program, which funds unpaid internships with certain organizations. “A woman named Emily Badgett, who worked at A2S previously, already knew about A2S; she was a student at Sewanee and a recent graduate,” Emily explains. She found out about A2S from her college job board and decided to apply after researching the organization. “I figured I would have to relocate, and I actually wanted to do that for a while now. I have never been to this area of North Carolina before, but I have been to the state a couple of times.”
How Her Major Helps at A2S
Emily believes her major has significantly helped her work at A2S. “I think communication and arguments are definitely areas my major has helped with,” she says, emphasizing the importance of these skills in her role.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Outside of her academic and professional life, Emily enjoys singing and performing. “I just love to be on stage. I was in the school choir and later in our university’s church choir,” she shares. Additionally, she likes embroidery and reading nonfiction books, particularly about biology.
Goals for the Next Five Years
Looking ahead, Emily has clear goals for the future. “I will be graduating in the next six months. I would really like to move into my own apartment outside of the state where I grew up. I would like to move out of the southeast region because I have lived here my whole life and I think it would be cool to go somewhere else. I have this goal of visiting every state in the US,” she reveals.
Exploring New Horizons
Although Emily has not yet visited Nigeria or any other African country, she has had enriching travel experiences, including a school trip to Germany during her freshman year. “It was a fun trip with lots of amazing experiences,” she recalls. She has also enjoyed Nigerian meals, including goat meat, pounded yam, jollof rice, plantains, and ugu soup.
Dream Destinations in Africa
If given the chance, Emily would love to visit Lagos State, Nigeria, and South Africa. Her curiosity about different cultures and places continues to drive her dreams and aspirations.
