Nina Benoit

Age: 20

Hometown: Dallas, Ga.

High school: North Paulding High School

Major: Early Childhood Education

Expected graduation date: May 2020

Why did you choose Dalton State? I chose Dalton State not only because it has one of the best education programs in the state, but because it was far enough away from home to find my independence. It was also the perfect size for me to get to know more people and walk to class!

What does it mean to you to be part of the Roadrunner Nation? Being a part of the Roadrunner Nation makes me feel pride. I love being a part of something that continues to grow. I know that being a Roadrunner gives me the opportunity to help effect a positive change that will help future roadrunners feel the same.

What do you plan to do after graduation? I plan to travel the world. Then find a place to live and start my teaching career.

Who is/was your favorite professor and why? My favorite professor on campus is Dr. Jacquelyn Mesco. She has impacted my outlook on teaching and has given me the confidence to become the best teacher I know I can be. Dr. Mesco truly deserves to be praised for all the things she does for the education program and all she continues to do because of her passion for learning.

What activities are you involved in on campus? I am a part of Residential Life as a resident assistant at Mashburn Hall.

Where is your favorite study spot? I love to study in a hammock in the Mashburn courtyard – although I tend to fall asleep!

What is your best memory so far as part of the Roadrunner Nation? I’ve had so many good memories it’s hard to pick just one. But if I had to pick one it would have to be late night adventures with all of my friends on campus.

Favorite comfort food? Anything sweet or Cajun

If you had a theme song, what would it be? “You’ve got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story

Favorite line from a movie? “Just keep swimming” – Finding Nemo

What is your guilty pleasure? Binge watching Twilight

What do you feel most proud of? Working to saving enough money to buy my own car at 17.

If you won the lottery, what would you do? I would take my family and close friends to every Disney park in the world. Then donate some it to charity.

What is a skill you’d like to learn and why? I would like to learn how to speak different languages, so that I could talk to everyone wherever I went.

What cheers you up? Hanging out with my friends and family.

Who is your hero? My mom. She is the smartest, most outgoing, and kind-hearted person in the world, and I wish to be half as amazing as she is when I grow up.

Who would play you in the movie version of your life? Lily James or Kristen Bell

If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet? Walt Disney – I feel like I could learn a lot from a man who made the impossible possible.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? I wanted to be a beautician for movie stars, although I still can’t figure out how to do my own hair.

 As a Roadrunner, what does it mean to Run Boldly? To Run Boldly means to believe in what you are doing and to do it with confidence and have determination to succeed.