Francesca Anne Citro could easily be known as St. Ambrose’s Sweetheart. While she’s been called Cook or Franklin, the people of Ambrose know her best as Frankie. She is in her second year at SAU, studying elementary education with an endorsement in special education. If you haven’t met this little Bee yet, more than likely you will. And if I may add, you’ll love her just as much as I do!
Born and raised in Westchester, IL, Frankie’s hometown is in the west suburbs of Chicago. Just like SAU, her hometown is the kind where everybody knows everyone, so it was an easy transition because it’s just like home.
Raised as a true Italian, Frankie doesn’t mess with Italian joints in the area. Instead, she’ll wait to go home and enjoy real Italian specialties she makes with her family. Frankie says she misses her Sunday family dinners the most.
“On Sundays, we would make homemade gravy, sausage meatballs, and braciole – a rolled flank steak with bread crumbs, garlic, and pecorino Romano stuffed inside. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it!” she recalls.
As any traditional Italian does, Frankie absolutely adores her family. She loves her mom and pap, and two brothers, Sam and Joe. But if she had to choose who her favorite was, it’d be her dog, Izzy. It takes Frankie less than two seconds to pull up a picture.
“She’s the cutest and most lovable boxer around!” she boasts with heart eyes.
Frankie has a million and one dreams. She one day hopes to travel the world. Her top three places she plans to visit are Italy, Australia, and Bora Bora. After college, Frankie hopes to move back home to Westchester and start her teaching career.
In 10 years, Frankie sees herself still with her high school sweetheart, Joey, and hopes to have a big family and, of course, a dog.
Frankie loves to ‘Netflix and chill’. But really though, she’s embarrassed to admit she’s been nonstop Netflix binging Food Network Star (it’s cute). She’s an avid napper and a B-Dubs fanatic.
If you ever get a chance to meet Frankie, you’ll never forget it. She’s the kind of friend that would tell you to “Be your own kind of beautiful. Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle.” These are the wise words her mother once taught her.
And to roll out like the legend herself, “Go Beez!”
All photos courtesy of Frankie Citro.