Name: Emily Chiaravalloti
Hometown: Acworth, Georgia
Major: Nursing
Favorite band: Twenty One PilotsFavorite place to eat in Tuscaloosa: “Definitely Glory Bound. Every time my family comes into town we go there to eat. It’s a great place because now that I have to eat gluten free, I can still order the GF gyros on the menu!”What has your experience been like as an out-of-state student? “I’m only three hours away, so it’s still pretty easy for me to go home for a weekend if I’m missing my family. Despite that, though, I’ve really enjoyed being out of state. As a girl who used to be incredibly shy and closed off, Alabama has helped me to open up, become more independent, and really grow into myself.”Why did you choose your major? “When I was fourteen, I actually spent six months as a patient in a children’s hospital. My entire life, I always knew I wanted to do something medical-related, and just assumed I would go to medical school. But, after my experience in the hospital, I realized that nurses are the ones who have all of the hands-on action with the patients. They are the ones who get to wipe sad tears away, be there to give medicine, and make kids smile despite sickness. I definitely want to work with children, so I’m ecstatic about becoming a nurse one day.”
Do you have any advice for girls who are thinking about being nursing majors? “I would tell them that they should be prepared to work hard. While nursing majors can frequently be written off for not having a challenging courseload, it is challenging in that only about 50-60% of students will get promoted to upper division to complete nursing school. So, even when it’s Friday morning and you have lab at 8am and you really don’t want to go, you can’t skip or slack off. It’s the little things that add up to boost your grades and help prepare your work ethic for clinicals.”What is your favorite part about being in a sorority? “The friendships. I didn’t have very many friends in high school at all. But, on bid day last year, I instantly had about 400 new friends. Since then, I’ve built friendships and sisterhoods with so many amazing women. They help me to become the best version of myself, and for that I am immensely grateful.”
Who is your celebrity crush? “Daniel Radcliffe. I love Harry Potter a whole lot. I found out a few years ago that he is like four inches shorter than me, but that’s okay. Love knows no boundaries, right?”
What is the best concert you’ve even gone to? “My very first concert was one I went to with my mom. We went to a Bon Jovi concert when I was in sixth grade and it was amazing. It was also the night I told my mom I wanted to join band and play clarinet, which turned out to be an incredibly influential decision for my life. I was a huge band geek in high school, but was able to be drum major and conduct my marching band!”
What do you like to do in your free time? “I love to paint. The wall above my bed, both in my room at school and at home, is completely covered in canvases. It’s a relaxing hobby, and I love it.”
What do you think is your best quality? “I think my best quality is my dedication because it helps me work hard. I give 100% of myself into my leadership positions, my sorority, my schoolwork, my jobs, and my relationships.”
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten?“I think it’s a quote from my grandma. She told me once, ‘A face without freckles is like a sky without stars.’ On the surface level, it comforted me about the freckles I have all over my face. But, deeper than that, it reminds me that I am unique, and uniqueness is important. It reminds me that God has made me how I am for a reason, and I should embrace that. It reminds me to be strong and confident, because my life is filled with stars.”