Habemus Valedictorian: Congratulations to Sofia Barry!
Class of 2012 Valedictorian Sofia Barry
John Cabot University’s Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Mary Merva is pleased to announce the Valedictorian for the Class of 2012 – Sofia Barry. Sofia is graduating with a Major in International Affairs and Minors in Economics and History.
Born in Pozzuoli, near Naples, in 1991, to an Italian mother and American father, Sofia epitomizes the JCU student, having spent several years living both in Italy and in the United States. She attended an Italian Liceo in Rome for a year, but spent the major part of her high school education in at the Naples American High School, where she graduated as class valedictorian in 2009.
At JCU, Sofia found the type of college experience she was looking for. “I learned about John Cabot University through my school and personal research. I chose JCU because I have always gone to small schools, so I liked the close contact I could have with professors. I also liked the location and I thought an international environment would be the best place to pursue a degree in International Affairs.”
Earlier this year, Sofia received Student Awards in History and International Affairs, a testimony to her academic excellence. She also participated in the 2011 Italy Reads project, especially enjoying the time visiting Italian high school, which brought back fond memories.
At JCU, Sofia says “I had close contacts with the professors and liked the close community. I have met some really great peers and probably have made several lasting friendships. I also have had very dedicated and hardworking professors that have taken an interest in their students and have inspired me.”
And what lies ahead? “I have not yet decided for certain what I will do in the future,” she says. “I am looking into various masters courses – my dream would be to get into the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies program. I am also considering taking the Foreign Civil Service exam to work for an American Embassy. My dream is to work for the US government and travel around the world. I also want to use this next year to take an Arabic language course. I am very interested in Middle Eastern studies and hope to pursue them more fully at grad school. I would also love to go to Qatar and the UAE (the two countries I did my thesis on) to get first-hand experience of what they are like.”
“I feel that there are a number of possibilities and so many doors open to me, I just have to choose which one to enter.”
On behalf of the JCU community, we wish Sofia the best of luck in all her future endeavors!
