CSI tips hat to student athletes
Staten Island Advance - May 22, 2004
Giorgia Penso is going home to Venice, Italy — but
not before bidding a fond farewell to her second home at the College
of Staten Island.
Penso, 24, received the school’s Scholar-Athlete
Award last night during annual athletic awards banquet at the Campus
Center. She played tennis and volleyball during her four-year stay
at CSI, and carried a 3.84 grade-point average in International
Business.
I came here (from Venice) as a freshman and I really
didn’t know anybody,” said Penso. “I gained a lot of confidence by
competing in athletics.
“It was a big adjustment in every way possible when
I arrived. The Sports and Recreation Center was my home. The people
always made me feel welcome. They helped keep me on solid ground.”
Penso has designs on a career in fashion. She worked
for a company in Manhattan while attending CSI and eventually hopes
to find a public-relations position in the fashion industry.
“I absolutely love fashion,” she said. “I want to learn every aspect
of the business. Nothing stops me ... I’m very determined.”
Penso, who speaks Italian, English and Spanish,
plans on returning to Italy next month. She’ll bring home fond
memories of her sports moments with the Dolphins.
“It was all positive ... from academics to
athletics,” she said. “It’s hard to say goodbye. It’s going to be
another major adjustment going home.
NOTES: City Council minority leader James Oddo (RMid-Island/Brooklyn)
was last night’s guest speaker Jacclyn Rock (basketball and
Volleyball) was named Female Athlete of the Year, while Vladimir
Fedosseev (swimming) was Male Athlete of the Year ... John Mazza,
president of Adak Contractors & Consultants of Annadale, received a
special award for contributions to the college. The Tottenville
resident was chairman of the annual “CSI Friends Golf Outing” at
South Shore GC.
by Jim Waggoner
Reprinted here with permission from the
|
