Meet Qyideera Pasture
New Alumni - Class of 2017
Interviewed by Frankford-Alumni.com Correspondent Franklin Okapala Class of 2017
EDITOR'S NOTE: Transitioning from high school senior to college freshman takes on many forms, so we're checking in on our recent grads to gain insight into their bold new world.
Who better to reach out to our new alumni than our new correspondent, a recent grad who's also walking in these freshman shoes and navigating through the struggles and joys.
Qyideera's First Semester
An Eye Opener
FRANKLIN: Why did you choose Walnut Hill College?
QYIDEERA: I chose the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College because, while going to Frankford, I did not know what I wanted to do. I did not believe in my other academic skills, so I decided to do what I naturally know how to do best.
CAREER PURSUIT?
FRANKLIN: What will be your major? What career do you plan on pursuing? And what drew you to this career?
QYIDEERA: Culinary Art. I choose this because I like making people happy. I enjoy the smiles on the faces of my family members every time I cook a meal.
FRANKFORD'S INFLUENCE
FRANKLIN: What Frankford teachers inspired you? How did your Frankford experience prepare you for the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College?
QYIDEERA: Ms. Burns and Ms. Namnan were the teachers that inspired me the most. I initially wanted to be homeschooled, but decided to go to Frankford. Frankford molded me and prepared me to deal with different kinds of people.
My experience as a mentor with the FKD PGC (Peer Group Connection) really inspired me. Meeting people from other countries gave me a culture shock that educated me.
WHO IS QYIDEERA?
FRANKLIN: Briefly, tell me a little about yourself. Who in your family inspired you the most and why? What are your hobbies?
QYIDEERA: I have a stubborn and very optimistic personality. I am a helper and mostly selfless. I am not a quitter.
Honestly, no one in my family inspires me. My aunt kind of inspired me, on and off, because she’s an addict. I’ll describe her as a “functioning crack head” who I like being around.
She was hyper and would start cooking, so that’s how I developed my interest in cooking. No one in my family was really around to inspire me.
My hobbies are reading, lacrosse and soccer. I like being outdoors.
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CHALLENGES & SUCCESSES
FRANKLIN: You’re now making the transition from high school senior to university freshman.
(It's an ongoing process) To date, what were your challenges and early successes? How has the adjustment been, overall?
QYIDEERA: I started my semester very early and way before others in different schools. It’s been at a fast pace, which is different for me. I’ve never had a cooking experience except the one I do at home, and it was hard adapting to cooking out of the house.
Also, I wasn’t used to professors being so demanding. I don’t have a thick skin so it was hard for me to cope. Professors spoke bluntly and rubbed my mistakes in my face, unlike in high school. I like to call that being honest, which I think is good but frustrating, most of the time.
For my success, I have handled about 13 orders in my market production class, where we have to cook for restaurants. My professors were really impressed with me for the first time.
Overall, I haven’t really adjusted. I think the start has been hard for me. I’m actually considering going into marine biology. Cooking wasn’t what I thought it was. I don’t feel like I’m equipped for it.
YOUR GENERATION
FRANKLIN: What do you hope your generation will accomplish in the world—where your predecessors fell short?
QYIDEERA: Sad to say, I think our generation will end up bringing back racism, because everyone is making everything about race. And they’re using social media to create more confusion and argument about racial issues.
FRANKFORD ACTIVITIES
FRANKLIN: What activities were you involved in during your Frankford years? How did they shape you?
QYIDEERA: I was involved in lacrosse. It made me realize the importance of learning how to manage time. I was working and playing at the same time, coupled with school stuff.
I missed practices most of the time and it cost the team some setbacks and losses. Lacrosse taught me how to become a team player, and helped me learn to be dedicated. It also helped me realize the importance of responsibility and showing up.
ADVICE FOR 2018 GRADS
FRANKLIN: What advice would you give to 2018 grads making the transition from high school senior to university freshman?
QYIDEERA: The best advice I will give to the class of 2018 is…don’t let your immediate environment influence your future or who you become, and don’t lay blames for your failures.
Most of my classmates are struggling this first semester and giving up, and blaming Frankford High for their lack of working hard. I would say, do not be Frankfordized.
FAST FORWARD TEN YEARS
FRANKLIN: Finally, where do you see yourself in ten years?
What is your favorite quote?
QYIDEERA: In ten years I see myself in another state, with a family, but don’t know what career I will end up with.
My favorite quote is:
Imperfection is beautiful, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.