What year did you graduate from Bluffton High School?
I graduated from BHS in 2006.
What was your favorite subject in school? Favorite teachers? What extracurricular activities were you involved in?
I absolutely loved high school! I had a great group of friends, who I'm still close with today. My favorite classes were probably photography and choir! I got along really well with my teachers and enjoyed them all. I was in volleyball and tennis, SADD, National Honors Society, Math Club, Latin Club, and very involved with Drama Club.
Did you like living across the street from the high school? Did it make getting to school a lot easier?
It was amazing living across from the high school! I did not have to get up super early for school and I was never late. This was probably one of the major reasons why I didn't end up getting my driver's license until I was 19. I didn't need it for much, living in town and so close to the school.
What was your first paying job? What did you learn from that job?
My first paying job was at Stratton Greenhouses. Since it was my first job I learned A WHOLE LOT! I worked in the retail section of the greenhouse and of course gained much knowledge about all the plants and trees, etc. I learned how to use a cash register and how to treat guests properly. However, the most important thing I learned is the value of hard work and how gratifying it can be.
While you were in high school, you took a trip to France with your dad. Share some memories of that trip.
Going to France absolutely changed my life! It is when I discovered my passion for other cultures and missions work. I still have many fond memories from this trip! It was my first time flying, first time going to a foreign country, I learned how to dry-wall, we stayed in a Chateau in the French countryside, I got to sight-see in Paris, and I got a chance to interact with French high school students. All around it was an amazing experience.
After high school, you went off to Huntington College...what was your major? Why did you choose Huntington? What other colleges did you consider?
I went to Huntington University from 2006-2008. My major was missions/intercultural studies. I loved Huntington from the very first time I visited. I knew I wanted to go to a Christian college since I wanted to study missions. Huntington appealed to me because it was small, had a beautiful campus, it was only an hour and a half away from home, and the students and faculty were very friendly and it seemed to be a very tight community. I also applied to Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan but Huntington was my number one choice. Once I got accepted, I was thrilled!
Somewhere along the way you got married to Joey Cherry, correct? And now the two of you are separated by thousands of miles. Is he still in the military? When will he be done? Where will the two of you go once he finishes?
Joey and I started dating during our senior year of high school. The summer after high school he left for boot camp and started his five-year commitment with the Marine Corps. Since he was in the military, we did not get to see each other very much, so that was really tough on us. We decided it would be best for our relationship if we got married so then we could finally be near each other. So on August 30, 2008 we got married! He was stationed in Yuma, Arizona, so once we got married, I moved out there and quit college after two years at HU. In April 2009 he was deployed to Afghanistan and during that time I moved home with my parents. He returned in November 2009 and then we both moved back out to Yuma. In December 2010 I moved home to live with my parents because our apartment lease went up and since he was getting out of the Marine Corps in May 2011, we could not renew it for a whole year. The separation is never easy but it is something that we have come to deal with. We are getting super excited for our future though! Joey gets out of the Marines May 2, 2011. He really wants to go to Ohio State for college, so the plan is to move down to Columbus by this summer. He will start classes at the end of June. I will continue taking online classes through Liberty University and hopefully finish my degree by next spring. My major is psychology with a specialization in Christian counseling.
You're living with your parents temporarily. How is that going? Are you kind of wishing you were back in Yuma where it's a little warmer?
My parents and I have always been very close so I really enjoy living with them. It's obviously tough without Joey being here, but it's a blessing to have such a loving family to help me through it. Plus having a mom to do my laundry and watch American Idol with and a dad to watch Michigan games with and cook amazing food certainly helps! About winter, I have officially decided that I hate it. I was super spoiled out in Yuma the past two years and completely forgot how much I dislike the cold. I just got sick last week for the first time in years, so I am really looking forward to spring!
Last time I ran into you was at Common Grounds, where you were working. What is your favorite beverage on the CG menu?
My favorite beverage is called a Melted Snowman. It's a latte, so it has espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate, vanilla, and coconut flavoring. DELICIOUS!
I know your dad does a lot of cooking. Do you like to cook? What are your favorite foods to cook...and eat? What did you eat in France that you'd like to replicate?
My dad is an AMAZING cook. He is so creative and everything he makes is delicious. I really enjoy cooking as well. However, I am more of a recipe follower so I find that I like baking more. My favorite type of food is Mexican, so living in Yuma was amazing because there were tons of authentic Mexican restaurants there. France had really yummy food! I still crave their bread. My favorite thing I ate there was right outside the Eiffel Tower. I got a crepe with just butter and cinnamon and sugar on it! It was to die for! I have tried to replicate it but have not even come close!
If you could go to a concert tonight, who or what group would you choose? What's your favorite kind of music?
I love music and have actually seen quite a few of my favorite artists in concert. Coldplay is definitely the best concert I have ever been to and I would love to see them again! If I had to choose a new group to see though, I would pick either One Republic or Mumford and Sons!
What goals do you have? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
My goals include finishing my bachelor's degree and then hopefully working with a Christian organization like Youth for Christ. Also, I have always loved children and really look forward to starting a family one day! Joey was adopted so we have a heart for children from broken homes. We would love to adopt both from the U.S. and from overseas. I also hope to get involved in missions work one day too. To sum up my goals, it would just be to love God and love others.
