The Cougar's Byte

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Features

Balancing school, work, family and friends, and still managing to have time for self can be a tough job. Nevertheless, Demetress Holmes is one student that seems to have gotten the concept down to a science. Demetress is a model student and amongst the elite within the Kean community. Despite her busy schedule and countless responsibilities, she still remains focused and level-headed.

Demtress is a graduating senior double majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a minor in Psychology. After graduation she plans to go to graduate school at John Jay University, St. John's University, or New York University (NYU). Law careers run in Demtress's family, so there is no need for her to worry. Success is in her genes. "I have always been interested in a career in law. My mother is a lawyer and I watched her as I was growing up. I knew it would be what I wanted to do when I was ready to start my career." In the future, she hopes to specialize in family law, focusing on juvenile counseling.

Demtress is President of Alpha Phi Sigma (the National Criminal Justice Honor Society), and holds memberships in Alpha Kappa Delta (the National Sociology Honor Society), the Criminal Justice Student Association, Women's Circle, Pre-Law Club, and the list goes on and on. She also finds pleasure in a variety of community service initiatives. With the spare time she has left, she volunteers to tutor non-traditional students from Essex county and New Jersey City University (NJCU) in English. She also volunteers every Wednesday night with the Kean University Wednesday night adult social group, with adults who have mental and physical disabilities.

When she's not studying or participating in campus activities, you can find Demetress in Whiteman Hall, where she is a resident assistant. "I love being able to interact with my residents. The best part of my job is serving as a positive role model. It feels good when someone comes up to you and says 'I want to be just like you.' That's rewarding enough for me." She continues on to say, "Being an RA gives me the opportunity to get to know students of all ages and backgrounds."

Demtress's Jamaican and Dominican heritage gives her the motivation to embrace diversity on campus that prides itself on its multiculturalism. "I have lived in a number of diverse neighborhoods over the years. Because of that I have developed an appreciation for other cultures and I welcome the opportunity to work in a diverse environment. My major goal as an RA is to embrace diversity while focusing on academics and building communities within the residence halls."

Demtress is extremely accomplished and actively pursuing the next phase in her life. She is driven, has a strong work ethic, exudes a beautiful spirit, is educated, and if a situation presents itself she is never afraid to lay down the law. Her talents are endless and she has just begun to shine. Before she takes that walk across the stage with honors, gleaming with pride, because she finally finished this phase of her life, she says she wishes to "leave a lasting legacy stemming from my well-roundedness, diversity, and appreciation of education."

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