Anita Rescia '21
Summa Cum Laude
BA Spanish Language
Minors in French and Italian

I have always known about Stony Brook University having lived locally my whole life. I chose to study at Stony Brook University because I knew I would receive a high-quality, affordable education thanks to all of the wonderful professors who work here.

I have a major in Spanish and a double minor in Italian and French. My passion is world languages and cultures, and I knew entering college that I wanted to study as many languages as possible during my time at Stony Brook!

One of my favorite classes was SPN 398, which is an introduction to modern Spanish peninsular literature. I loved every text we read and not only did it confirm my love of literature and analysis but it also inspired me to go on to write an undergraduate honors thesis!

My research interests are modern Spanish literature and the Spanish Civil War. Another interest of mine is second language acquisition, which is why I hope to be a language teacher one day so I can share my passion with others. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish as an undergraduate at Stony Brook, including writing an honors thesis, being an undergraduate TA in a Spanish course, and completing my initial New York State teacher certification in Spanish.

I consider these to be my biggest achievements because they helped shape me to be the person I am today and they will continue to guide me throughout my future studies and career.

This semester, I am graduating Summa Cum Laude. I also won the Undergraduate Best Essay award in the Hispanic Languages and Literatures department two years in a row, which was a great honor for me!

After I graduate, I will continue my education here at Stony Brook, pursuing a MA in Spanish. I hope to become a World Languages educator!

To future Seawolves, my advice is to work hard and to study what you love and what makes you happy!

I will remember all of the warm memories I made in the Hispanic Languages and Literature and European Languages departments. I hold much love, esteem, and gratitude for all of my professors. I will forever cherish all the time my classmates, professors, and I have spent together - both in person and virtually! - over the past four years.

One last thing I'd like to share is a great, big thank you to everyone that helped make this accomplishment possible!