Miss Pereira goes to Washington


In January 2009, a new U.S. president will be inaugurated after what promises to be a historic run for the White House.

Golden Panther Rose Pereira, a computer engineering major, will be among a select few to attend this prestigious event as part of the Presidential Inauguration Conference (UPIC), which brings outstanding student scholars to Washington, D.C., to learn about the electoral process and the traditions surrounding the inauguration. She was selected through her involvement with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

During Pereira’s five-day trip to the nation’s capital, she will meet congressmen and White House officials and engage in political debates with the likes of James Carville, Mary Matalin, Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson. The highlight of her trip will be attending the black tie Gala Inaugural Ball.

“Something that is really wonderful about so many young people gathering in Washington, D.C., for this event is that it will provide them a chance to become more familiar with and attuned to the president who will govern the United States over the next four years,” says Mike Lasday, executive director of UPIC. “We certainly hope this will inspire the next generation of leaders.”

The Venezuelan-born Pereira is no stranger to academic achievements. She belongs to Sigma Alpha Lambda, the Peer Mentor Buddy Program and she currently works as the Web developer for the International Students Club.

“I really love to work with the International Students Club, I was president last year,” says Pereira. “It gave me a lot of leadership skills and I met a lot of people.”

Ted Randall, her advisor and associate director of the International Students and Scholar Services office, said under Pereira, the student club has been the busiest he has ever seen. “My impression of her is she is very positive and she’s very reliable,” he said.

It took some time for Pereira to adjust to the American and FIU ways of life.

“When I came here to the United States from Venezuela, I was all by myself, I had three roommates and we didn’t have that much in common,” she says.

The university’s interactive lifestyle also shocked the Golden Panther, particularly the availability of FIU professors.

“I never thought it possible that my teacher would chat with me the day before a test to clarify the material in class,” she said. “The professors care for the student’s education. In Venezuela, you go to class, and then you study at home.”

Once she assimilated to university life in the United States she quickly took advantage of the opportunities FIU gives to its students. “You have to give it a chance. You can’t expect everything to be your way, the way you used to know it. You have to adapt to things and try to understand things,” she said.

These words have proven true for her. As she sits in the Graham Center, one of her favorite buildings at University Park, she cannot wait to read up on American politics to make FIU proud during the debate portion of her trip.

— Grant Smith
Editorial Services

-FIU-

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