Christine Ovasapyan, president of the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC) and Student Trustee, sat down with El Vaquero on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to talk about her interests, achievements and future goals. She describes herself as a passionate person, which contributes to her day-to-day success.

El Vaquero: Where were you born?
Christine Ovasapyan: I was actually born in Burbank and I grew up in Glendale all my life.

EV: What was the happiest day in your childhood?
CO: That is a tough one. I can not pinpoint anything because I feel like as a child, everyone is just happy.

EV: If you could meet one of the movie stars or heroes, who would that be?
CO: Probably, Angelina Jolie. Just so I can pick her brain on all the different things she is doing. She is such a great role model. So I feel like that would be incredible to get to just understand what she does and why she does everything.

EV: What activities do you like?
CO: I am a very big eater. I love food. So, in my free time I am usually on Yelp finding a new place to eat and then going there. But right now, I am always busy with school, so it is hard to find that free time to do more activities, but it is OK.

EV: What were you doing before studying and working at Glendale Community College?
CO: I graduated from Glendale High School. I was always involved in the Associated Student Body. I was in clubs and sports. I played basketball for my high school.

EV: What’s your major?
CO: My first choice is political economy, and my second choice is comparative literature.

EV: When and where are you going to transfer?
CO: I am applying this fall to transfer in a year. It is a difficult process. I actually started my application, and it is just a blank. I am applying to many schools, as many as I can apply to. I want to keep my options open. I do not want to stick to one school, because I do not know what the future holds for me. I want to be able to have my options open so that I can see what I can choose from.

EV: What made you want to run for President of ASGCC ?
CO: I was heavily involved in ASB in high school … even in middle school. It is always something I was drawn to. I am very outspoken and I like to get involved and get my hands dirty. It came natural to me, and I am really grateful for that because I have had the best experience possible. Joining ASGCC was probably one of the great decisions that I have made in my life.

EV: What have you learned or hope to learn from ASGCC?
CO: I have learned that it is OK to let others lead. You have to be able to learn from others and have that open forum to discuss things, and have an opinion and disagree. I have learned that it is OK to not always agree on everything. But I have also learned what it is like to be with a group of diverse people who have a passion for community and passion for students. That is why we are here every day doing what we do.

EV: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
CO: I like that we ended up being a family. It is like lifelong friendships. We have meetings every Tuesdays at 7 a.m. Walking here at 7 a.m. is like a breath of fresh air. What do I like least? I cannot really pinpoint anything because I live, breathe, eat and sleep at ASGCC, so I have not had any encounters where I can say there is anything I do not like as much as I do. Everything is great. Obviously, you hate some blocks on the road, but this organization is one of the best experiences ever.

EV: Who has the greatest influence on you that makes you work harder?
CO: I would say two people in life. One would be our previous adviser, Tzoler Oukayan. I was able to work with her when I was in ASGCC last fall. That woman showed me what it is like to have passion and have motivation and work hard and to believe in yourself and others. I am so thankful for her because she guided me in a direction where I am proud to be. She gives me that reason to really keep going. Another person would be my mom. My mom is my number one role model. I am so thankful to have a mom who stands up for what she believes in and understands what it is like to work with a group of diverse people.

EV: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CO: I do not know. I do not know what I am doing even tomorrow, unless it is in my calendar. But I have so many things that I want to accomplish in my life.

EV: If you had the opportunity to live any other time, when would that be?
CO: I think the time I am living in now is great. I am happy with where I am.

EV: What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
CO: I would say passionate. I do not like to do things if I do not have interest in them. I get bored easily. So for me to have a passion it is my life. I think that it has led me to a lot of places and it has helped me to really understand and it has helped my work ethic progress.