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Trista Lay

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Finalist

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Winner

General information

Location
Oak Ridge, TN
Age
30
Gender
Female

Hobbies & Interests

  • Ballet
  • Dog Training
  • Board Games And Puzzles

Reading

  • Romance
  • Mystery

I read books daily.

Bio

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 program

2021 – 2023

Majors:
  • Political Science and Government

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Bachelor's degree program

2018 – 2020

Majors:
  • Political Science and Government
GPA3.7 GPA

Pellissippi State Community College

Associate's degree program

2015 – 2018

Majors:
  • Philosophy
GPA3.0 GPA

Hardin Valley Academy

High School

2011 – 2015

GPA2.8 GPA

Miscellaneous

Graduate schools of interest:
George Washington University
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Intern

    Public Relations and Communications · Park Street Strategies

    Jan 2021 – Present

  • Courtesy Clerk

    Retail · Kroger

    Jan 2014 – Jan 2014

  • Processor

    Retail · KARM Thrift Store

    Jan 2015 – Jan 2015

  • FOH Associate

    Restaurants · McAlister's Deli

    Jan 2018 – Jan 2019

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Public Policy
Dream career goals:
Chief of Staff in U.S. Congress
Has nursing license:
No

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.
Trista Lay Student Profile | Bold.org