Spring 2008

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NC State University’s 2007 Family of the Year

Dave Pond, Web Communication

More than 6,000 miles now divide members of NC State sophomore Alysondria Campos' family, but they were together Saturday, September 29, at Carter-Finley Stadium to be recognized as NC State’s 2007 Family of the Year.

" My family and I work as one unit," Campos wrote in the essay she submitted for the annual contest, coordinated by the Office of Parents & Families Services. "We try our best to support each other no matter what and to offer advice where we feel necessary." Students were invited to nominate their families through an essay contest conducted as a part of the 2007 Parents & Families Weekend festivities. Campos’ essay was chosen from 38 entries for its creativity and evidence of her family’s support for NC State and her education.

Because her essay was selected, Campos received a $425 book scholarship for the spring semester, and her entire family - including father, Aurelio, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran who has since returned to Al Asas, Iraq to continue his third tour of duty – were guests in the Chancellor’s box at the NC State v. Louisville football game and were presented with the scholarship and a commemorative plaque during a special field presentation.

" It meant a lot to me to have my family there, but especially my dad," Alysondria Campos said. "He is probably my main source of support, and even though he's overseas, he makes it a priority to email and to place phone calls to take care of things at home.

" He loves football, and just to have everyone all in one spot to relax, spend a weekend together and have fun was amazing," she said. "It was a great time."

With her father serving overseas and the rest of her family two hours away from campus life, Campos - who is on pace to be the first member of her immediate family to graduate from college - has seen her support network grow to include those in the NC State family as well.

" I have a lot of faculty and staff I trust here," she said. "I have been able to go to my instructors with different issues, and they have been very understanding of the situation I've faced with my dad being deployed. It has really helped to know you can talk to people on campus rather than having to depend solely on your family at home."

In addition to her father, Campos’ essay honored her mother Diedre - the " foundation and heart of the family,” Alysondria said - brothers Dayton, 15, and Dalton, 8, and sister Alyceanna, 6. " They are my top priority," Alysondria said. "I put them before anything. Without them, I'd be nothing."

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