Name: George Calvo
Hometown: Farmingdale, New York
Major: Computer Science and Mathematics
Class Year: 2015
Ethnic Background: Hispanic-American (Colombian descent)
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Campus Involvement: Hofstra Fall Festival 2014 Court King and Founder of Hofstraās Habitat for Humanity
Hobbies: Baseball, volleyball and remodelling old spaces
Describe yourself in three words: Determined, unique, and caring.
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HC: What was your reason behind joining this yearās Fall Festival Showcase?
George: Iāve seen the Fall Festival Court in the past and the great students who are on the court and I thought it would be an honor for myself to participate in that. Also, I thought it would be a great way to represent the university and help to give back for everything that the university has given to me. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity.
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HC: At what moment did you think you could actually win King of Fall Fest?
George: At first I didnāt think I was going to win because just looking around me the other four Fall Festival king candidates were extremely qualified, great leaders here on the campus. I thought to myself, āI wish I could win but these guys are so great that itās probably not going to be me.ā We all came to the agreement that just being on the court was a win itself. But during the showcase, during my performance, just hearing the audienceās laughter, really meant a lot to me and I thought āmaybe I actually have a shot at this.ā
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HC: What went through your mind as you were being crowned during the festival on stage?
George: I was so shocked to hear my name. Out on the stage I was standing there expecting to hear anybody elseās name besides George. It was just such a rush of emotions, seeing everybody happy and clapping for me made me feel so appreciated.
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HC: Where does the crown and robe go when youāre not wearing it?
George: Through my Habitat for Humanity experience I learned a lot of things so Iāve been working on this run-down upstairs room in my house that Iām pretty close to finishing so I have a nice table where I put the crown and a chair for the robe so itās starting to look like a person. I might just print out my face and paste it on there. That might be where it stays for a little bit.
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HC: Who is your male role model or ākingā?
George: I would say itās my father. He came here from Colombia when he was around three. He and my grandmother gave up everything to make a better life for me. Having this Fall Festival king honor is just another way to say thanks to him for all the work that he put in for me.
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HC: What is your favorite song to sing in the shower?
George: Keeping the Colombia alive, my girl Shakira. Iām not gonna lie, I like anything by Shakira. I like to sing āHips Donāt Lie.ā
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HC: What would you say is your guilty pleasure?
George: Watching reality TV shows. I like Big Brother. Iāve been watching it for the past three years.
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HC: Who is your celebrity crush?
George: Jennifer Aniston. Sheās been so great in all her roles and so successful. And she also gives back to the community in different ways.
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HC: What are your plans after graduating Hofstra?
George: I hope to take one or two weeks off for a vacation. Iāve never left the country, so I hope to get my passport updated and go somewhere outside the U.S. I was also fortunate enough to get hired at MEC Global, where I interned the last two summers as a database programmer. Iām excited to help the company grow and be successful. Ā
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HC: What are your words to live by?
George: Never let anyone tell you that you canāt do anything.