Karen Funaro is famous around campus for her loud Brooklyn accent. I had the pleasure of sitting down with her this week and getting to know a little about her. She’s extremely outgoing and has to be one of the funniest girls on campus.
Karen is a Junior English and Communications double major and African Studies minor, a Lifestyle Editor for the Hawk, a sister of Alpha Phi, she does weekly service at the ELS Center, she’s a member of Sigma Tau Delta, she’s the VP of club swimming, and she’s currently a content contributor for College Media Matters. Talk about doing it all!
Karen and her brother.
HCSJU: What do you like better about living in Philly than you do Brooklyn?
Karen: I like living with my friends and that aspect. I like meeting new people, and I feel like when you’re away at college you have the opportunity to meet new people. When I’m home in Brooklyn, even though it’s a very diverse place and I love it so much, you’re kind of still with the same people all the time. I like being around people who didn’t grow up the same way I did. I know for me, I live in a city. And everyone here is from the suburbs and like “Apple Pie Town” and it’s kinda cute to hear about that stuff that I just used to watch on TV.
HCSJU: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?
Karen: It’s honestly not to lie to anybody. I don’t think you should lie in any situation. I’m always telling my friends who get nervous and say they don’t want to tell their parents or teacher something, just be straight up with people. Because if you’re straight up with people, there’s a better chance of them understanding.
HCSJU: What’s your worst pet peeve?
Karen: I hate people that chew with their mouth open. It’s very animalistic and they need to stop.
HCSJU: What’s your favorite way to wear your hair?
Karen: I like to wear it in a headband, down and straight. Very easy.
HCSJU: Where was the worst vacation you ever had?
Karen: When I was growing up, my dad didn’t like to go to beach vacations, and my mom doesn’t like going on a boat, so cruises were out and islands were out. So, we did “activities.” We went to the Amish country probably like 19 times. And I’m one of four and we’re very “Brooklyn” people, and all four of us got piled in to go on a horse and buggy for an hour. I remember, we were all complaining the whole time about how it smelled really bad. All I remember is my mom sticking her nails in my leg because I was being rude to the Amish people saying ‘Oh it smells!’ It was just miserable and the food wasn’t good, and we had to be quiet on the tour. The four of us were just not into it.
HCSJU: If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Karen: Macaroni and ricotta. It’s plain rigatoni pasta with my mom’s marinara sauce and ricotta cheese. That’s it. That’s all I need.
HCSJU: Are you in a relationship?
Karen: No, I am currently not in a relationship.
HCSJU: What’s your go-to accessory?
Karen: A diet coke. Honestly, I have one of those in my hand all the time. But if you’re asking about an actual accessory, I would say my Yankees hat. I’m always wearing a hat.
Karen and Connie Lunanuova
I was lucky enough to have Karen’s best friend Connie sitting in on the interview, so I asked her this question: How would you describe Karen in 3 words?
Connie: I would have to say “original.” She’s 100 percent herself all the time. Everything she says is original. And then “strong,” and “loyal.”
If you see Karen around on campus, ask her to say “water.” That Brooklyn accent really comes through!
HCXO,
Alli