SUAREZ Jasmine This spring, a Franklin University alumna could be crowned Miss Ohio U.S.


International, with hopes of representing the state in the national competition later in the year. However, contestant Jasmine Suarez, says she isn’t motivated by the crown or the glamor.


“To me, it’s about having a platform to enhance what I care about, and that is helping others. You really have to understand the issues that your city, state and country are facing,” she says, “and I feel if I can do that, I can make an impact at all of those levels.”


Jasmine’s unique approach to pageant competition isn’t the only thing that sets the 22 year-old Franklin student apart from her peers. Because she needed to work full time, Jasmine left the traditional college scene, and came to Franklin in 2014. In the classroom she usually finds herself the youngest of her classmates, but doesn’t look at that as a disadvantage, instead she is grateful.


“Being younger than most everyone in class is actually great, because I get to learn so much from their experiences. It’s motivating to see what other students have to balance in order to complete their degree, and to see how hard they work to finish it,” she says.


Jasmine’s journey allows her to bring a different, but just as important, experience to her classmates. A native of New Jersey, she and her family moved to Columbus in 2004, when her parents sought a better place to raise their children. While looking to become better acclimated and find friends, Jasmine joined a group at her church called D.E.S.T.I.N.Y., a mentoring program for young women ages 7-17. This is where she realized how big of an impact giving back could make. While many


Franklin students bring years of work and life experience to the classroom, Jasmine has created her own experiences that usually aren’t gained until later in one’s career. While working part time at Franklin, she spends much of her free time volunteering. “By volunteering I have learned a lot about communication, it has also taught me that your quality of work is more important than just working for a dollar.”


She juggles a full schedule mentoring for the same D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. program that once helped her, working with Prevail Respect (a non-violence group), and this spring will hold a Career Planning and Preparation workshop for the youth in the community. She is also enrolled in training that will allow her to teach English abroad.


Once finished with her degree Jasmine wants to start an organization in which she can use her servant leadership skills to continue to give back to others. Through this organization she hopes to partner with local businesses and software companies to distribute computers and software to underserved school districts, giving teachers and students a chance to thrive in the world of technology.


Reflecting on why gratitude and giving back is so important to continue in her next phase of life, Jasmine says, “There are so many people who you can help if you do something as simple as talk to them. Everyone should have someone.”


12. | Clocktower 2015 | alumni.franklin.edu


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24