PEACHES DE LA PAZ

I was selected to be one of the two student speakers at our Open House last Saturday!
There will be video is on this SPC page. And it's on youtube too!

Here's my speech:

Hello, and welcome to Saint Peter’s College.
It’s about that time of the year when college acceptance letters are being mailed. It also means that it’s time to make that one important decision: Where will you spend the next four years of your life?
Last year, Saint Peter’s College was my choice. My name is Peaches Dela Paz and I am currently a freshman with an undeclared major. I come from East Windsor, New Jersey, about an hour away, and graduated from Notre Dame High School. Not only did Saint Peter’s proximity to New York City appeal to me, but its Jesuit tradition of excellence and its numerous opportunities convinced me to come here. Most importantly, the tight-knit community made up of students, faculty, and staff showed me that SPC would be right for me.
Here at Saint Peter’s, I am part of the Honors Program. The classes offered are not only challenging, but also push me to learn more and work with my fellow students. The small classes have enabled me to form a close connection with my professors and I never hesitate to ask them for help and guidance. My history professor, Dr. Rabin, has been especially supportive. She has shown me that history is not just about dates and facts but the hopes, dreams, and thoughts of the past. Our class of only ten people makes the class more stimulating and comfortable to be in than if I was in a class with 30 or 50 other strangers. Sometimes I stay after class long after we’ve been dismissed simply to continue our discussion in class or to talk about anything, really. The professors here at St. Peter’s truly care about each student.
I am currently an undecided major with leaning towards a major due to Dr. Rabin’s exceptional class. But St. Peter’s College has allowed me to take several different classes through the Core Curriculum, a selection of required courses such as theology, philosophy, and English. These classes have exposed me to ideas that have broadened and enriched my educational experience. This truly allows me to have a firm foundation on which to build upon in whatever endeavors I eventually decide to pursue.
These past few months, Saint Peter’s has become my second home. I have joined numerous clubs, such as Asian American Student Union, the McMullen Chorale, and PAVO Society, a group of Student Ambassadors who you will see today. I am also very active in Campus Ministry. Currently, I am running to be a Senator for the Class of 2010 for the upcoming year. Through these clubs I have become more connected with my faith as well as my culture.
However, coming here to Saint Peter’s was not an easy transition. I come from a suburban community in Central Jersey, and living in the city came as a big shock. But the experience of living in Jersey City has given me a valuable perspective that I couldn’t get in the ‘burbs and the opportunities here are things that wouldn’t be offered to me where I come from. This very week, I have seen two Broadway shows. And since I arrived here in September I’ve visited the Metropolitan Museum, strolled around Central Park, and attended the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy. In the next few years I hope to study a semester abroad and fulfill my dreams of traveling the world. Saint Peter’s has given me the college experience that I hoped for, and even more. The best thing about it is that I’m only a freshman and there are still many more opportunities ahead for me and for you as well.
Finally, the students of Saint Peter’s College form a great community. The diversity of this school amazes me. My close friends here are from Maine and California, and my roommate is from Bulgaria. Not only have I learned about different cultures, but I have also formed a family here. I actually like to call it my SPC Family where all of us help and support each other. So hopefully after this visit, you will decide to join us.