Cindy Vasquez: 'Keep You Heads In the Books, But Enjoy Your Time to the Fullest'

With her vivacious and captivating personality, it’s impossible not to be drawn to Cindy Vasquez’s aura.

Though she’s small and fun-sized, this extraordinary young lady carries responsibilities twice her size. As the first born in her family, Vasquez not only has three younger siblings to set a good example for, but has parents who expect her to fulfill all of her heart’s desires.

When the Civil War broke out in El Salvador in the early ’80s, Vasquez’s parents were compelled to migrate to the United States in hopes of a brighter and promising future for their family.

Vasquez’s mother struggled to quickly adapt to the American way of life and to break the language barrier that she lacked. If Vasquez were to crown an individual as her role model, she states, “I would give that title to my mother.”

A day in the life of Vasquez involves, but is not limited to, classes, work, meetings and spending time with her loved ones.

Wrapping up her third year at George Mason University, Vasquez is a government and international politics major full time and an intern part time.

She’s currently employed by the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, which she picked up her sophomore year to compliment her degree.

Aside from the government job and her government major, Vasquez is actively involved in clubs and organizations that interest her most.

She is the treasurer of the Hispanic Student Association (HAS) for the 2009-2010 school year, a member of the pre-law honor society, Phi Alpha Delta, and a member of the CLEO program, Council on Legal Education Opportunity within the honor society.

Vasquez has managed to juggle all activities simultaneously, with a smile that can light up a room and a laugh that warms the hearts of many.

As a rising senior, Vasquez is ecstatic to see what is in store for her and to begin that next stage in her life. Pursing a law degree is in the horizon of her near future, with a focus on human rights.

Despite the hectic career that awaits her, Vasquez sees herself in 10 years, settled and married in the D.C., Md., Va. vicinity with one child of her own as well as a few adopted children.

For the time being, her priority is to finish her college career strong and take life as it is presented to her.

Summing up her college experience, Vasquez snickers and states, “Definitely a wild rollercoaster, with turbulence, but the best experience thus far.”

For advice to the upcoming freshman, she smiled intently and continued, “Keep your heads in the books, but enjoy your time to the fullest, as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”