Family of the Year

The 2025 Family of the Year enjoys life on campus

Katarina Benson — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:38:59 +0000

The 2025 Family of the Year enjoys life on campus Katarina Benson Tue, 11/25/2025 - 11:38

The Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award honors the essential role families play in supporting their students at �鶹��Ƶ. Students nominate their families, and the Family of the Year Award is announced at Family Weekend in the fall. The Choi family is the 14th Family of the Year recipient.

Eun Kyung (EK) Choi is a full-time graduate student in the Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program in the College of Education and Human Development—and a dedicated student parent.

The Choi family is the 2025 Family of the Year. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Her journey to George �鶹��Ƶ began when she and her husband moved to the United States after he was posted to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C., by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With this major transition came an opportunity: Choi chose to pursue a teaching license, hoping to one day work in international schools around the world.

But after welcoming their baby, Choi found herself unsure how she could continue her master’s program. “I wasn’t sure how I could finish my master’s degree,” she recalled.

That’s when her husband made a pivotal decision: He took a year of parental leave to care for their baby, ensuring Choi could fully focus on her studies. His support made all the difference. Choi successfully completed the teacher certification exams required for her internships and continues to excel in her program.

“Without his support, it would not have been easy to take my current classes or prepare for my internship next semester,” she said.

The Choi family lives in �鶹��Ƶvale on �鶹��Ƶ’s Fairfax Campus, where they embrace the vibrant local community. They enjoy long walks to Old Town Fairfax—often stopping by the Fairfax Regional Library or treating themselves at De Clieu Coffee & Sandwiches when they don’t feel like cooking. On campus, they frequent Southside and Ike’s, and Choi keeps an eye on �鶹��Ƶ360 for fun family-friendly events.

“Being part of the George �鶹��Ƶ community as both a student and a mom has been a meaningful journey,” Choi shared. “I hope my story encourages other students who are also balancing school and family life.”

Her advice for fellow students balancing family and school is:

Take Care of Your Health: “Parenting is a whole new world. No matter how much support you have, it takes energy. I used to stay up finishing work all night and start work early in the morning, and that was my joy. But I can’t do that anymore I’ve learned to take care of my body and rest when I can. This season of life is different, but it’s precious and full of gratitude.”

Share the Responsibilities: “Parenting is not a solo journey. My husband’s and family’s support has made it possible for me to continue my studies. I also try to respect my husband’s personal time, like going to the gym or seeing friends. It helps us both.”

Use the System: “In my case, my husband was able to take one year of paid parental leave, which made this balance possible. In Korea, parents can usually take one year of paid leave plus up to two additional years of unpaid leave. Because this system was so familiar to me, I didn’t fully realize how meaningful it was. However, after talking with Colleen Vesely, my Engaging Families of Diverse Learners professor, I truly came to appreciate not only the existence of this system but also the supportive environment that allows us to use it.”

Find a Supportive Community: “I truly appreciate the welcoming community at George �鶹��Ƶ. My professors and classmates have supported me during pregnancy, childbirth, and this parenting season. Special thanks to Professor Bweikia Steen for creating a warm and inclusive class, to Professor Carly Fisher-Maltese for her kindness during my delivery time, and to my friend Jialin for her care before and after birth. Last but not least, thank you to my academic advisor, Kayla Turner, and internship coordinator, Amanda Davis, for constantly checking on me and handling my situations. Families of the Korean Embassy and friends from the diplomatic community have also been so kind. They brought food, took me on little trips to Baltimore, and even bought my favorite bingsoo from Soricha Tea and Theater. I’ve truly felt cared for.”

Topics

Family of the Year

College of Education and Human Development

University Life

Students

Family of the Year exemplifies the importance of student support

Colleen Rich — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 19:40:43 +0000

Family of the Year exemplifies the importance of student support Colleen Rich Wed, 11/15/2023 - 14:40

Keryssa Ward, a senior transfer student, is succeeding at �鶹��Ƶ with her parents’ support. “My parents have been there every step of the way and I’m very blessed and appreciative of all the things my parents do and have done for me.”

Yolanda, Keryssa, and Kevin Ward, Family of the Year 2023. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

Ward is majoring in art and visual technology at �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Her family was named the 2023 Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year at �鶹��Ƶ’s Family Weekend. The award, given annually, recognizes the critical role families play in their student’s experience at �鶹��Ƶ.

Ward visited �鶹��Ƶ twice while she was enrolled at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Virginia, where she graduated from in 2022 with an associate’s degree. She liked �鶹��Ƶ more each time she visited, she said, and also got to know �鶹��Ƶ through student videos and videos from Housing and Residence Life on YouTube. She decided to enroll for Spring 2023.

Her parents, Kevin and Yolanda, said �鶹��Ƶ has exceeded their expectations. “Keryssa feels comfortable to try new things and considers �鶹��Ƶ her home away from home which gives us great comfort as parents,” Yolanda Ward said. “We feel that George �鶹��Ƶ is giving Keryssa the foundation she needs to grow and navigate the road to come. She says this school is where God wanted her to be, and we are so thankful!”

Ward’s Family of the Year application essay highlighted her parents’ support for her over the past few years as she tackled college while dealing with a health crisis. During the summer after her first year at �鶹��Ƶ, she had a total left hip replacement. She said her parents “were there for me during the painful, lonely days and nights before the surgery and after. My mother and father never left my side.” She described the experience as heartbreaking and shared that her parents’ support helped her stay focused and motivated at school.

Ward said she appreciates that she can be herself at �鶹��Ƶ and credits her personal growth to involvement in �鶹��Ƶ organizations. She is a My Natural Events coordinator, a member of Every Nation Campus, a member of the Active Leaders program, a shop�鶹��Ƶ influencer, and a 2023 Leadership �鶹��Ƶ Conference attendee.

“I have been more confident and social while at �鶹��Ƶ because of all the resources, organizations, and connections that I have,” she said. “I have gotten out of my comfort zone many times, and I’m glad I did. I appreciate that everyone has been very welcoming and helpful at �鶹��Ƶ.”

A fond memory she has of a time when her parents supported her campus activity involvement is the time she modeled in the African Student Association fashion show. Her mother helped her get dressed and her parents were sitting in the crowd supporting her and cheering her on.

After graduating, Ward plans to return to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Her dream job is to work for Disney’s design team, and she eventually wants to start her own business. She credits her parents for teaching her that she can achieve anything she puts her mind to.

Topics

Students

University Life

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

transfer students

Family of the Year

Family of the Year takes an eclectic, supportive approach to learning and living

Colleen Rich — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 16:14:13 +0000

Family of the Year takes an eclectic, supportive approach to learning and living Colleen Rich Fri, 10/15/2021 - 12:14

The Pistone family from Ohio received the 11th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award at �鶹��Ƶ’s Family Weekend. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Leah and Peregrine Pistone, both freshmen attending �鶹��Ƶ, credit their loving family for encouraging them in their desire to learn and experience new things.

This year, their family received the 11^th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award at �鶹��Ƶ’s Family Weekend. Ken, Leah and Peregrine’s father, wrote a three-page, newsletter-style essay, complete with photos, explaining why their family should be nominated.

“Having a family that supports you and surrounds you with love provides an important and unifying aspect to our lives and grounds us and gives us the best opportunity to succeed,” Ken wrote in the essay.

Leah and Peregrine are Honors College students. Peregrine is also a University Scholar, which covers for four years of tuition, and Leah is one of two College of Science Promise Scholars, in its inaugural year of covering all costs associated with obtaining a �鶹��Ƶ degree for a select few scientifically minded students.

Leah and Peregrine are a little over a year apart in age, but began their learning experience being homeschooled by their mother, Kimberly, a teacher. They have three younger siblings who are also homeschooled. Their father is an engineer, and the family has lived in Michigan, Texas and, most recently, in rural Ohio on a 35-acre family farm with chickens, goats, cows, turkeys and peafowl.

The Pistone family was on campus for Family Weekend and to visit first-year students Leah and Peregrine. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“It’s really quiet without Leah and Peregrine,” said Kimberly, who was interviewed over Zoom from the farm. “I thought I would miss them more than I do only because I am still in communication with them through texting and phone calls every day. I still feel very connected with them.”

Kimberly’s approach to homeschooling has been to let the children’s interests lead the way.

“We have followed an eclectic approach,” said Kimberly. “We’ve done a lot of following Google rabbit trails. If we have a question on a topic, we go to Google to get an answer, and then we sometimes wander quite far afield.”

For example, a search about Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla spiraled into a musical instrument called the theremin, which then culminated into YouTube videos featuring theremins playing to the theme to “Star Trek”.

“This led us to learn that the original ‘Star Trek’ TV show theme song was performed with a theremin,” said Kimberly. “Who knew where that innocent Google search eventually would boldly go.”

The family is close-knit and spends a lot of time together, Kimberly said. They play card and board games, such as Dominion and The Resistance, together every day. In 2020, they logged the number of games played, and it came to an average of four per day.

Ken says he’s happy to see Leah and Peregrine going into �鶹��Ƶ prepared to be successful.

“It’s a good feeling when they’ve taken the shepherding that you’ve given them and use it intentionally and thoughtfully,” said Ken. “There’s an aspect of living vicariously through them as they go to college, except they get to have all the fun.”

A few months into her freshman year, Leah said that she’s enjoying her classes and the opportunities at �鶹��Ƶ, but admits that she misses her family, along with the animals.

“Having been homeschooled my whole life, being away from my family is a huge change. I miss the all too well-known chaos of my house,” said Leah. “I know my family supports me in my college endeavors, and I greatly appreciate all of their support, even if it is long distance.”

Peregrine says that he misses the stars but is enjoying his college experience.

“I was aware that I was going to have a culture shock when I came here. Fairfax, Virginia, on a college campus no less, is almost the complete opposite of rural Ohio,” said Peregrine. “Adjusting to all the changes here has been quite a surprising and exciting experience. I am also surprised by how much I have grown in just these last eight weeks; my classes have taught me so much.”