31. Interview with Miss Europe 2012 and model 

On July 6, 2020, Gahana N. had the opportunity along with Annie Zhao to interview the Miss Europe 2012 and model, Mrs. Anastasia Domashova. Our interview happened via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We learned  about her passion for modelling and how she got interested. She is very generous and has her Domashova Studio and Academy in Miami, Florida to provide quality photos and coaching for people of all ages. She is a very busy woman, so we are extremely grateful to have gotten the chance to speak with her. 

 On June 18, 2020, Gahana N. had the opportunity along with Harshita Nagireddy to interview the President of Agricenter International, Mr. John Butler. Our interview happened via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We learned so much about his work in a non-profit organization working to remove all barriers to provide quality agrarian education and food. He is very passionate about the Agricenter and we truly enjoyed learning more about Mr. Butler. 

Thanks Mr. Butler for joining us! 

Mrs. Leslie Smith, Founder of Epicenter

On June 16 , 2020, Gahana N. had the wonderful opportunity along with Aanya Kabra and Tejasvi Epuri to interview the President and Founder of Epicenter, Mrs. Leslie Smith. Our interview happened via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We learned so much about her work in a non-profit organization working to remove all barriers that come across succeeding in entrepreneurship. She is a very kind woman with strong ideals. Mrs. Smith is also a mother and truly enjoyed learning more about her.  

On June 12th, Harshita Nagireddy, Annie Zhao, Aanya Kabra, and Harini Gopi had the honor of interviewing Mr.Samuel Schwaller, the General Manager of LIFETIME FITNESS. As most of society has to readjust, so do their fitness and health regimes. Mr. Schwaller told us what his position requires of him and how, during this Covid-19 Pandemic, we can strive to maintain our health and fitness. The team has learned a lot about what the term health truly means you are sure too, as well!  

Thank you Mr. Schwaller! 

Tejasvi Epuri, Harini Gopi, Gahana Nagireddy, and Eilene Liu interviewed the Director of the Memphis Fire Department, Ms. Gina Sweat. Ms. Sweat is the first female to hold this position in the Memphis Fire Department. Due to COVID-19, Ms. Sweat told us that the Memphis Fire Department has made some changes, but they still respond to every call! She also told us  about duties that firefighters have other than fighting fires, and she told us about some fire safety prevention tips. Her advice for students is to learn the basics in school such as math, reading, and effective communication with others. We admire her bravery and courage to face emergencies even during this time!

Thank you so much for talking to us,  Ms. Sweat! 

 Annie Zhao, Angela Yuan, Emily Hu, and Hershey Nagireddy interviewed Mr. Raphael Bundage, the director of Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts! He is a singer and directs the choir at Governor's School. Serving in his church, First Presbyterian Church,  he owes his talent and skill to God! Ever since he was little, he loved music and singing; he decided to pursue his passion, and it naturally led him to where he is now. Mr. Bundage gave us an overview of what he does in a day as the director of TGSFA as well as the director of choral activities for Middle Tennessee State University. Mr. Bundage is a very cheerful and lively person, and we enjoyed the interview very much. Fun fact: this interview took place during the lunch break of Governor's School for Annie Zhao and Emily Hu, and Mr. Bundage had just gotten back home from his 45 minute drive from church!

Thank you Mr. bundage for sparing your time out of such a busy schedule! 

 Annie Zhao, Angela Yuan, Emily Hu, and Hershey Nagireddy interviewed Mr. Raphael Bundage, the director of Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts! He is a singer and directs the choir at Governor's School. Serving in his church, First Presbyterian Church,  he owes his talent and skill to God! Ever since he was little, he loved music and singing; he decided to pursue his passion, and it naturally led him to where he is now. Mr. Bundage gave us an overview of what he does in a day as the director of TGSFA as well as the director of choral activities for Middle Tennessee State University. Mr. Bundage is a very cheerful and lively person, and we enjoyed the interview very much. Fun fact: this interview took place during the lunch break of Governor's School for Annie Zhao and Emily Hu, and Mr. Bundage had just gotten back home from his 45 minute drive from church!

Thank you Mr. bundage for sparing your time out of such a busy schedule! 

 Annie Zhao, Angela Yuan, Emily Hu, and Hershey Nagireddy interviewed Mr. Raphael Bundage, the director of Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts! He is a singer and directs the choir at Governor's School. Serving in his church, First Presbyterian Church,  he owes his talent and skill to God! Ever since he was little, he loved music and singing; he decided to pursue his passion, and it naturally led him to where he is now. Mr. Bundage gave us an overview of what he does in a day as the director of TGSFA as well as the director of choral activities for Middle Tennessee State University. Mr. Bundage is a very cheerful and lively person, and we enjoyed the interview very much. Fun fact: this interview took place during the lunch break of Governor's School for Annie Zhao and Emily Hu, and Mr. Bundage had just gotten back home from his 45 minute drive from church!

Thank you Mr. bundage for sparing your time out of such a busy schedule! 

Tejasvi Epuri, Harshita Nagireddy, Annie Zhao, and Emily Hu interviewed the CEO of MIFA, Ms. Sally Jones Heinz. MIFA is an organization that brides gaps in Memphis, particularly with the homeless and people who need help with food. Ms. Heinz grew up in Memphis with authority figures in her family, which eventually led to her leading MIFA. She told us about how MIFA was adapting to COVID-19 and the new struggles they face, and she also explained some new and exciting programs at MIFA. Her advice for students is to find opportunities to work on teams since there is a lot of good work that is done in collaboration!

We enjoyed the interview very much, Ms. Heinz! 

 Annie Zhao, Angela Yuan, Emily Hu, and Hershey Nagireddy interviewed Mr. Raphael Bundage, the director of Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts! He is a singer and directs the choir at Governor's School. Serving in his church, First Presbyterian Church,  he owes his talent and skill to God! Ever since he was little, he loved music and singing; he decided to pursue his passion, and it naturally led him to where he is now. Mr. Bundage gave us an overview of what he does in a day as the director of TGSFA as well as the director of choral activities for Middle Tennessee State University. Mr. Bundage is a very cheerful and lively person, and we enjoyed the interview very much. Fun fact: this interview took place during the lunch break of Governor's School for Annie Zhao and Emily Hu, and Mr. Bundage had just gotten back home from his 45 minute drive from church!

Thank you Mr. bundage for sparing your time out of such a busy schedule! 

On June 3, 2020, Gahana N. had the amazing opportunity along with Annie Zhao, Aanya Kabra, and Emily Hu to interview the President of the Board of Trustees at the Pink Palace Museum, Mrs. Linda Foster. Our interview happened via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mrs. Foster being a White Station alumni herself was ecstatic to share her responsibilities with creating new opportunities for children and adults at the museum. She is an outgoing person with beautiful advice and we were thrilled to meet her.  

 Annie Zhao, Eilene Liu, Emily Hu, and Hershey Nagireddy interviewed hematology/oncology doctor Dr. Gary Tian! Dr. Tian took time out of his busy schedule to share with us his journey and path to the job of a physician. Born in China, Dr. Tian told us that his move to America for higher education after achieving his bachelor's and medical degree in top schools of China was very difficult especially because of the language barrier. Even so, he still managed to become the brilliant doctor and father of two today. Dr. Tian is a very honest and hardworking man who always tries to make time for his family. Hearing his past residency and medical school stories made the interview very enjoyable, and it gave us a look on how much dedication was needed to become a doctor. Dr. Tian concluded with great words of wisdom and encouraged us to follow our dreams!

Thank you so much Mrs. McCloy for your advice and support! 

On May 30 , 2020, Gahana Nagireddy had the amazing opportunity along with Annie Zhao, Harini Gopi, and Elina Salian to interview the Founder of Muddy’s Bake Shop, Ms. Kat Gordon. The interview happened via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We learned so much about passion for baking and love for creating delicious recipes. She is a very energetic woman with a wonderful mindset about life. Ms. Gordon is an excellent role model and we were delighted to speak with her. 

Annie Zhao, Tejasvi Epuri, Emily Hu, and Gahana Nagireddy interviewed the director of the Memphis Libraries, Mrs. Keenon McCloy! Mrs. McCloy went to Hutchison School as a girl, and initially did not want to stay in Memphis. After a visit back to Memphis, she saw the changes of her city and fell in love! With experience at the sexual assault resource center, she looks at the world in a new way and wants to change people's way of life in every effort through libraries. Mrs. McCloy is extremely considerate, and she teaches us to think of others and not judge through her renovation project with old libraries in more impoverished areas! Mrs. McCloy also brought Cloud901 to Benjamin Hooks Library, a top of the line technology and youth training lab! We had a very enjoyable interview that went through two zoom calls!

Thank you so much Mrs. McCloy for your advice and support!

Gahana Nagireddy, Annie Zhao, and Emily Hu interviewed Mrs. Ebony James, the upcoming spiritual author and CEO of Empire Effect! Mrs. James was once a special education teacher who heard a calling for her to resign and start her own business. She shares how Empire Effect came to life with its name inspired by the domino effect! Mrs. James wanted to have her own effect on others in administration, customer service, management, and more! An upcoming author, devout Christian, wife, and mother, Mrs. James is an inspirational to all! She trusts God with her life and obeys him in any calling or sign!

We appreciate your time, Mrs. James!