Oak Ridge, TN
Age
28
Gender
Female
Hobbies and interests
Ballet
Dog Training
Board Games And Puzzles
Reading
Romance
Mystery
I read books daily
Trista Lay
1,325
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Finalist1x
WinnerTrista Lay
1,325
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
I am currently a graduate student of legislative affairs at George Washington University in the Graduate School of Political Management. I intend to intern in U.S. Congress for fall 2022 and aspire to one day be a Chief of Staff for a Member of Congress. Such a role will enable me to have an active input in new policies from the Members of Congress in the Democratic Party.
I aspire to have a career in politics because I believe strongly in the ability to change lives through the political arena. Those who show up are the ones who have the ability to make change, be it good or bad. In order to ensure that the country is headed towards a future of equality and social justice, it is important for everyone who wishes to have a positive impact on the country show up to the table.
In my lifetime, I aim to live a financially independent life with the ability to pursue my interests and live comfortably in Washington D.C. As I pursue my career goals, I want to eventually help my mother retire and allow my family more comfort in their finances. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and a single mother, and in the event that her cancer one day returns, I want her to know that she will not have to worry about bills that time around.
Education
George Washington University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Political Science and Government
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Political Science and Government
GPA:
3.7
Pellissippi State Community College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Philosophy
GPA:
3
Hardin Valley Academy
High SchoolGPA:
2.8
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Public Policy
Dream career goals:
Chief of Staff in U.S. Congress
Intern
Park Street Strategies2021 – Present3 yearsCourtesy Clerk
Kroger2014 – 2014Processor
KARM Thrift Store2015 – 2015FOH Associate
McAlister's Deli2018 – 20191 year
Sports
Tennis
Intramural2018 – 20202 years
Research
Political Science and Government
University of Tennessee — Assisted research professor by analyzing political TV advertisements and determining whether they were positive or negative ads2019 – 2019
Arts
Oak Ridge Academy of Dance
Ballet2003 – 2009
Public services
Volunteering
Christopher Hale for U.S. Congress — Initiated phone banks and text banks in order to garner support, volunteers and votes for the congressional candidate2020 – 2020Volunteering
Phil Bredesen for U.S. Senate — Canvassed local neighborhoods and initiated phone calls to encourage voters to support, volunteer, and vote for the senatorial candidate2018 – 2018
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
"Wise Words" Scholarship
In the John Steinbeck book The Winter of Our Discontent, a character states, “I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen.”
This John Steinbeck quote is particularly special to me because it reminds me that I can never truly know a person. I can go through life with a person I love and cherish, and I will sympathize with them when they struggle through life, but I can never truly know what it is like to be them as a person. There is so much more to a person than just what they reveal of themselves, so many different components that make up who they are.
In this regard, the quote means to me that one should always try to be considerate of others. Instead of thinking that we know everything there is to know about a person, one should always try to understand who they are as a person and the reason why they might say or do something. Everyone is fighting a battle on some level, and it is important to remember how our words and actions might affect those we surround ourselves with. Even when we believe that a word or action might not be harmful, it will likely have an entirely different interpretation by someone with different life experiences.