Hobbies and interests
Travel And Tourism
African American Studies
Reading
Adult Fiction
Academic
Classics
Fantasy
Historical
Anthropology
Literary Fiction
I read books daily
Nia Kearney
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FinalistNia Kearney
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FinalistBio
My life journey began in 1994 in the city of Willingboro, New Jersey, where I was born
into a military family. We shortly left the United States, to be stationed in Okinawa, Japan, our
first base. All throughout my formative years was spent living in various foreign countries.
Because of the Air Force, I had the privilege to travel and live in the mainland and islands of
Japan, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, and South Korea. Although it was sometimes difficult to
transition from place to place, it was a wonderful and informative experience that I felt blessed to
have. Despite my many travels and residences, I always returned to a small town called
Warrenton, North Carolina.
It is my family’s ancestral home and many generations still lived there. Although I was
not a resident, I was active in summer programs growing up and spending hours the local library,
Warren County Public Library. One pivotal moment in one of those summers, was when I was in
college, my family and I did a presentation for the annual summer reading program. The theme
was traveling and learning about different cultures, and how one may explore through reading. I
was able to share the masks we brought from Italy, a Kimono for the kids to try on, and an
assortment of Kokeshi dolls. Seeing the enthusiasm of the kids and parents about the stories
moved me. It made me realized how integral libraries are for the community. Which is why I
want to pursue a degree in Library and Information Science. I want to provide a positive impact
in the communities that shaped me.
Education
American Public University System
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
University of Mount Olive
Associate's degree programMajors:
- General Studies
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Library and Information Science
Career
Dream career field:
Libraries
Dream career goals:
Planner/ Outreach & Director
Teacher's Aid
Ray & Joan Kroc Center2016 – 20171 yearTeacher's Assistant
Osan Air Force Base Child Development Center2019 – Present5 years
Sports
Soccer
Intramural2010 – 2010
Track & Field
Junior Varsity2010 – 20111 year
Research
BA Thesis
American Public University System — Student (Senior)Present
Arts
Osan Air Force Base Gospel Choir
SingNone2019 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
United Service Organization (USO) — Volunteer2019 – Present- Ho'okele Elementary School — School Library AsisantPresent
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Gullah / Southern Studies South Carolina Scholarship
I am interested in helping minority communities because my parents instilled in me love reverence and pride in my heritage. They often imparted the belief me and my siblings that we are the “descendants of survivors” and that it is our duty to preserve and honor their rich legacies. Having cultural pride not only extended to my ethnic heritage but in my family history. From childhood into adulthood, hearing the stories of my elders about their experiences have interested me. My interest in oral stories and cultural history has sparked my interest in obtaining my MLIS degree with a focus on Archival Studies and I also want to minor in African American studies. There are so much contribution and people that been lost in the annals of history that needs to be pushed into the mainstream. I believe that the Gullah-Geechee culture is very beautiful. How the descendants and ancestors `carved out their own identity in a new world. What sparked my interested in the Gullah-Geechee culture was my introduction to Julie Dash's Daughter of the Dust the film and subsequent novel. The visuals, traditions, and rituals portrayed on film intrigued me. I desired to know more about the culture, so I wrote my BA senior thesis on the oral traditions and themes presented mediums were a powerful depiction of unique society that was initially started by a people that was stripped away their cultural identity. The story of Igbo Landing and the mass suicide was haunting.Learning of their resilience made me desire to learn about the Gullah culture and share it to the public. The Gullah-Geechee culture is integral part of the rich American tapestry that should be honored. As I go forward into my Master's program, I hope to do this as an Archivists.