The freshman class knows their classmate John Connolly. Every since John got to CUA, he has gotten extremely involved on campus. You have definitely seen him around (and he probably flashed his cute and friendly smile), you have read his tower articles about some hot topics on campus, and NOW you are about to read about who is the guy behind the cool name! Take a look at my interview with this amazing freshman!
Name: John Connolly
Hometown: Philadelphia. I am actually from just outside Philly, I am 15 minutes from Center City.
Year: 2019
Major: Politics
Spirit Animal: Either a dog or a bear cub. I just think they are adorable and they represent innocence and youth. They are the best of life.
Fun Fact: My birthday is March 14, but my mom was supposed to have me on March 17th (which is my uncle’s birthday). My sister was born on May 4th and that is my other uncle’s birthday. BUT, I came early so I could have my own day!
Favorite Part of DC: Capitol Hill. In the morning when I run I go there because it is so beautiful. I think that one of the things that people think about when it comes to Washington DC is that all the buildings look very similar. Even though they do, they are different. It is very open and you can walk around freely, which is what I think it should be.
HC: Is it true you saw Paul Ryan be sworn in?
John: I did. That is true.
HC: How did you get that opportunity?
John: Connor Schumacher knows someone who works for a representative and they got us gallery passes.
HC: What was that like?
John: It was interesting, because they must have had a time limit on how long you can be in the gallery. So, John Boehner gave his farewell address and then they started the vote and then they kicked us out of the gallery. We had to go back down and back in line. Then, I was the first one to walk into the chamber and as I walked in, they gaveled to finish the vote. We sat down and they announced Paul Ryan. It was really amazing. We got to see his speech and watch Nancy Pelosi hand the gavel over. It was unique and it made you really proud to be an American because it is so rare to see the peaceful handing over of power. All they had to do was stand and say his name and voice their vote. There wasn’t battle or war. It was an amazing celebration that definitely highlighted democracy in our country.
(John is on the far left if you are looking at the picture)
HC: Why did you pick CUA?
John: I had two cousins who went here and I had visited them many times and seen what they had experienced. I also love DC, so I knew that I would love going here.
HC: What do you like about being a freshman?
John: I love how you really can’t see a difference between the grades like you did in high school. I don’t feel nervous about being in a class that is all sophomores except for me. So basically the fact that you feel equal with all of the older students.
HC: What is your favorite part of CUA?
John: I like the strong sense of community. I went to an all boys Catholic high school and there was a strong sense of community by the time I left. Comparing when I was a freshman in high school and a freshman now, I really feel much more apart of the community here than I did in high school. It is a strong community but it is not necessarily based on Catholicism. It is okay for someone to not be Catholic. We are The Catholic University of America but it is not a Catholic community, it is a community everyone.
HC: What are you apart of at CUA?
John: College Republicans. Tower Staff. SGA Correspondent. Liturgical Ministry. CUAllies.
HC: Do you like working with SGA?
John: I do. It is filled with kids from every school and class and you hear about issues that you would not be able to necessarily hear about in a different student government.
HC: Who is your favorite senator?
John: Roisin Gibbons & Stephen Morris. (Aww thanks John!) But I think everyone is doing a good job this early in the year.
HC: What do you like about the Tower?
John: I like the interviews and the SGA meetings. I like asking questions because I have always been into history, I like digging into things and finding out the information. It makes the writing easy.
HC: What do you love about writing?
John: I like that you can express yourself in a different way. You have to think about it when you do it. When you listen to someone talk or say something it is easy to understand what they are saying. With writing you have to read and understand what is being said. It is a way to express yourself without talking. I like the freedom of it.
HC: What do you have planned for next semester?
John: I plan on doing an internship in Congress. I just applied and I am waiting to hear back. I hope to do that and focus on my classes because I am a student first. I also can’t wait for the cherry blossoms.
HC: Is this person in Congress your representative?
John: He is not my representative, but I know him. We belong to the same country club and I swam with his kids.
HC: What do you want to do after college?
John: I would love to go into some kind of political career or journalism. I might consider going into a elected office, but not president. I would like to be using my voice as an outlet for people by reporting what is happening or speaking on behalf of them.
It is safe to say that John is certainly part of the CUA community and it sounds like he has found his home away from home. Be on the lookout for John on campus! Wouldn’t it be cool to say you went to school with this guy in the future?!