E.C.U Student to be Next Barbara Walters
Lauren Tsiolkas, a sophomore at East Carolina University, gave up modeling in New York City to become a full time college student.
Tsiolkas was given the opportunity to model in New York City but turned it down to fulfill her dream to become the next Barbara Walters.
“Lauren possibly passed on an excellent opportunity but I believe she made an excellent choice by coming to college and getting a degree,” says younger sister, Chelsea Tsiolkas.
Tsiolkas is a broadcast journalism major with substantial goals. She hopes to work for a major news network and broadcast the news to the national media.
“Laurens’ personality is one of a kind because she always cares about other people and she always tries her best to be the better person so she can become a news anchor,” says best friend, Katie Bates.
Her goals and aspirations are reflected through her involvement in extra-curricular activities. She participated in numerous clubs in high school and continued to be active in college.
Tsiolkas is an active member of the Delta Zeta social sorority. Her parents were both Greek at other universities and they supported her in joining a sorority.
“Our parents were really supportive of Lauren joining a sorority because it is a big family tradition,” says Chelsea Tsiolkas.
Extra-curricular activities are highly important to put on a job application and Tsiolkas is able to balance her schoolwork and her sorority.
Tsiolkas hoped to maintain her relationship with boyfriend Nelson Hudspeth. Hudspeth and Tsiolkas have been dating for almost 3 years. Tsiolkas knew that it would be hard to keep their relationship alive if she moved to New York City.
“I wanted to be close to my boyfriend because I feel like he is the one for me,” Tsiolkas says.
Normally, it is very hard to make a relationship work in college but Hudspeth and Tsiolkas have made it work. In part, Hudspeth agrees, that their relationship is going well because of Tsiolkas’ dedication to him.
“Lauren and I have been dating for almost 3 years and I am so thankful that she came to ECU,” says Hudspeth. “She means a lot to me and she is so good to me.”
Hudspeth goes on to explain that he wishes Tsiolkas had not based her decision not to go to New York on him because in a sense he feels guilty.
“ I thought the opportunity she had to go to New York would have been a great experience and I am glad she decided to go to ECU but I don’t always want to be known as the reason she didn’t go.”
While interviewing Hudspeth, I asked him to describe his girlfriend with 3 different adjectives and he said “out-going, funny, and smart.’
Nevertheless, Tsiolkas has a support team from every angle. Katie Bates, Tsiolkas’ best friend, loves and misses her best friend very much.
Bates has been Tsiolkas’ best friend since they were little. Bates is very supportive and hopes Tsiolkas can succeed in her journey in becoming a news anchor.
“Lauren is my best friend and ever since we were little she must always have the spotlight,” says Bates “ I do hope she is like the next Katie Couric.”
Chelsea Tsiolkas, her younger sister, also speaks highly of her sister’s goals. She is very proud of her sister’s decisions and hopes she continues to stay goal-oriented through the remainder of her college career.
Both Lauren and Chelsea Tsiolkas speak proudly of their Greek family traditions. Their family is very close and each member knows of Lauren’s goals and aspirations.
Tsiolkas is not an ordinary last name. The name is of Greek origin.
“I know and understand the hard work behind my major and I plan to continue working hard so people will someday see me as a famous news anchor,” says Lauren Tsiolkas of her college career.
Sources
1. Nelson Hudspeth- (910) 545-7815- Boyfriend
1. Interview- September 14th, 4:00pm- 10-15 Minutes
1. Chelsea Tsiolkas- (336) 407-8848- Little Sister
1. Interview- September 14th, 8:00pm- 15-20 Minutes
1. Katie Bates- (336) 306-6424- Best Friend
1. Interview- September 12th, 8:00pm- 15-20 Minutes
Filed under: Classmate Profiles