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Nola, left, and Otis, right

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Underlined countries are where my family is from

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Last university band concert of Spring '16

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At the March for Babies 2017

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Click to learn about my extended family

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Family Echo - Free Online Family Tree Maker

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Draw your printable family tree online. Free and easy to use, no login required. Add photos and share with your family. Import/export GEDCOM files.

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My mom holding me in the NICU at Evanston Hospital

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A coworker photobombed me when my friend came to eat brunch. I gave her a paper hat the busboys wear.

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ISU Student Education Association members at the Illinois Educator's Association Spring Conference.

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Merge Leadership Retreat in St. Louis, visiting the largest inclusive church in the U.S. before we drove back to ISU

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At my birthday/Mother's Day get-together

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Marching Giants circa 2014

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Who a person surrounds themselves with is an important part of their identity. In middle school and high school, I was in band and made many friends from the time spent together practicing and performing. A lot of my middle school friends were Army brats because of the school's proximity to a local base. It was sad when they had to leave.
In high school, I joined a youth group at a nearby church because I wanted to grow spiritually. Most of the other students were from a wealthier neighborhood, so I initially expected them to be snobbish. They were some of the most humble people I've met despite their wealth.
I got a part-time job in High School at a local restaurant and made many friendships with interesting people. Some of the employees were high school students like me, and a majority of the full-time employees were older. The more time I spent working with everyone, the more I loved my job. Although some of my high school friends don't work there anymore, I keep in contact with many through social media. Even though I'm one of the only employees in the pancake house who doesn't speak Spanish, it has been a minor part in how I interact with my coworkers.
Some people believe that you make lifelong friends in college, and I roomed with a girl freshman year in Hewett 608 who became my best friend. I didn't get involved in RSO's until my junior year. I was looking for an inclusive campus ministry and found Merge where I am now a member of the leadership team.

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I am a 22 year old woman who enjoys gardening and reading. I've lived in Illinois for my whole life and plan to teach here as well. I have one older sister and my family has a dog. Friends would describe me as somewhat of an introvert with a good sense of humor and optimism. My parents gave me a love of classic rock, talent at crossword puzzles, and a support system. I came to ISU undeclared and it took many classes that I wasn't a good fit with before I found the middle level education major. Although I will not graduate until Spring 2021, I wouldn't change my college experience because it made me into who I am today.

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The black dots are where my extended family lives--Tuscon, AZ; Bradenton, Fl; Alexandria, VA; Mt. Prospect, IL; Skokie, IL; Chicago, IL

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My mother's mother's parents are from Germany and Switzerland. My mother's father's parents are from Ireland and Switzerland.
My father's father's parents are from Italy and my father's mother's parents are from Poland.
Grandparents Leo Sr. and Pearl Potetti moved from Steubenville, OH to Miami, FL (late 40’s)
Father Leo Potetti Jr. moved from Miami, FL to Lombard, IL (1984) and from Lombard, IL to Chicago, IL (late 1980’s)
Parents Leo and Joan moved from Chicago, IL to Highland Park, IL (1994) and Highland Park, IL to Gurnee, IL (2016)