ABOUT Devin
University of Pittsburgh, Junior
I love my college because….
it’s like going back home for me. I was born in Pittsburgh but raised in Richmond, VA. Both of my parents were born and raised in Pittsburgh, so they raised me to love everything about Pittsburgh, including Pitt. The University of Pittsburgh is an amazing school with such a contagious spirit that I loved it as soon as I walked on campus for the first time back in high school. I think Pitt is better than the rest because it truly is a Pitt Family. The student body, the alumni, the faculty and staff are all so connected that it really makes the whole atmosphere to die for.
I major in…
English Writing! I’m hoping to get into the School of Education after my junior year at Pitt, which would get me one step closer to being a teacher! I’ve always loved teaching; growing up I was a gymnast and eventually I became a coach in the sport. Teaching others what I’m passionate about is something I fell in love with. The English language, to me, is just so beautiful because you can do anything with it! Freedom of expression is so alive with English, and I wish to one day inspire others to see the language the way I do.
My hometown is awesome because…
it’s so small. Mechanicsville, VA is a very small town just outside of Richmond, VA. Most people hate small towns, but I love mine. Everybody knows everybody, and I love that feeling! I always leave the house knowing I’ll bump into someone I know.
At school, you can find me…
cheerleading for Pitt! This will be by third year on the team. I absolutely love it! It’s been such an awesome experience so far and I still have two years to go! I’ve met so many great people, including some of my best friends, and have had amazing memories! Cheering on Heinz Field compares to no other feeling in this world. I’m also a writer for the Pitt branch of the Odyssey Online, it’s a great way to get my writing out and make a name for myself! I also get to meet new people and read their writing in the hopes of learning something from them!
The coolest class I’ve taken so far is…
English Literature – Words and Images. The professor was an outstanding example of what I want to be. Her passion about what she taught was so contagious that I fell in love with what she was teaching me. And it helped that the content of the class was just fascinating! We learned about how words and images can affect how the reader pictures the text. I loved it so much!!
My favorite late night study snack is definitely…
a bowl of cereal! Honey Bunches of Oats or Raisin Bran are my absolute favorites!
If I had 24 hours left to live, I would…
want to spend it with my family. They mean the world to me, and if I only had a certain amount of time left, I’d want to be around them because I know I’d be around people who love me the most. Even if it meant we’d be bickering about who had the TV remote, I’d still want to be with them.
If I could change one thing about the world, it would be…
how much people judge and hate others. We all do it; I’m even guilty of it. There is so much we could do together than we could ever do apart, and I think that’s something we all need to understand. Someone’s skin color, racial background, political views, or anything that sets them apart from oneself is not what we should be focusing on. We’re all human beings in this world trying to find happiness. Hating each other won’t progress that.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, I would say…
“Relax! Not everything will fall into place immediately. Life is to be taken one step at a time; rushing things is a huge mistake! Also, boys are NOT everything. Being a strong, independent woman is sexy! Being in love with yourself has to come before being in love with someone else. Find what you are passionate about and run with it; life is so much better after finding yourself and finding true happiness.”
I’m going to be Miss COED 2017 because…
I think it’d be a great opportunity to prove to myself and others around me what it means to be in college. I’m a cheerleader for a major university, I work during the school year, I volunteer on a regular basis, and I maintain above a 3.3 GPA! Not to mention I’m totally in love with my school! I’d also love the opportunity to inspire other young girls to follow what they’re passionate about in life, as well as being independent and loving themselves.
