Kary

Self-Introduction: Aloha! I'm Kary Geronilla, a student representative for the Atherton YMCA's 2008 Alternative Spring Break to Vietnam (March 21st-30th). I'm a returning member to the Alternative Spring Break Program. During ASB 2007 to Thailand, our team visited an HIV/AIDS Orphanage in Bangkok and helped build a school in a village outside the city of Chaing Mai.  Please help me volunteer in Vietnam during Spring Break 2008 by making a donation!

Expectations for the volunteer trip to Vietnam:
I'm really excited about going to Vietnam! I hope to further my
leadership skills, interact with the Vietnamese people and learn about Vietnamese culture, build international relationships, be exposed to and humbled by the less fortunate, bond with my teammates, and most importantly to leave some lasting imprint through our
humanitarian work. I'm excited to help rebuild the classroom and visit with the disabled Vietnamese children.


Academic and Extra-curriculars:
I graduated with highest honors from George Washington High School in
2005. I am 20 years old and a Junior Biology and Pre-Medical Student
at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I'm involved with the UH
Pre-Medical Association (Community Service Chair), JABSOM Medical
School Mentoring Program, JABSOM Homeless Outreach and Medical Education Project, and UH Golden Key Honour Society. I shadow a pediatrician, Dr. Pascua at the Medical Arts Clinic in Wahiawa, and am a volunteer Queens Medical Center. I have 6 months of directed research experience in Dr. Wikramanayake's Developmental Biology lab and am a part-time Lab Assistant in a GMO Papaya Lab in the UH Botany Department. I'm a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross and the Blood Bank of Hawaii.

Future Plans: I want to go to medical school and become a physician
specializing in Pediatrics, Cardiology, or Anesthesiology. I want to be involved with international medicine and join Doctors Without Borders one day.


Personal: I was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. I'm the youngest of four kids, and the daughter of Linda and Dante Geronilla. I'm half Filipino, a quarter German, and a quarter Yugoslavian. I speak some Tagalog and Spanish. I'm a big believer in an open mind, hard work, and positive thinking. I'm Christian (Catholic); my home parish is
Blessed Sacrament (Charleston, WV) and I attend the Newman Center on campus.

Favorite Quotes:
"We are living art, created to hang on, stand up, forbear, continue,
and encourage others." - Maya Angelou

"Keep gratitude in your attitude." - Anonymous

Click here to help Kary and the ASB team with a donation.