Character: Jay Ferragamo
Book: A 38 Day Education by John Guzzardo
Tell me a little about yourself. Where do you live?
Well, I'm originally from Palm Harbor, Florida. It's part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. Right now, I'm in school at South Central College. It's in a small town in southern Georgia called Danielsonville.
Who is the most important person in your life?
My roommate, Martin Ballard. He's a great guy; like a brother in a lot of ways. We have great conversations and we both respect each other very much. I think, when it comes down to it, he's one of the reasons I look forward to coming back to school every fall. We're like family.
What was your childhood like?
It was a mixed bag, really. I grew up in Schenectady, New York, but I could never really get into the cold; I used to play in the snow alone, and I spent a lot of time at the playground by myself. Most of my childhood was spent in my room reading, outside playing by myself, or at the library. My dad inherited the print shop my grandfather started, but after ten years of trying to run the shop and have his own career, he decided he didn't want to be a printer, and sold it. He had been working as a manager for a trucking company when he was transferred to Scranton, Pennsylvania. We lived there until I was about 13, when we moved to Palm Harbor. I went to public school in New York, Catholic school in
PA, and back into public school in Florida. Never had too many friends - most of my classmates called my nerdy, dorky and stupid. When we moved to Florida, I was in high school and came into my own. I love the warm weather.
Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?
That would probably have to be Tasha Davidson. She's the Vice President of Student Government. Not to sound disrespectful or rude, but she's that really irritating sort of wealthy, the sort who looks at a guy like me and just sneers like "you aren't good enough to breathe the same air with me." I deal with her because it's a necessary evil, nothing more, nothing less.
What is the most important thing in your life?
I can't say for sure. My education is important. My family is important. Right now, the most important thing in my life is helping keep my college newspaper, The Scope, running. It's the first place I've ever felt like I fit in, and now I'm doing the best I can to keep it running. The staff is like my family and friends, and I don't want to let them down.
What is your biggest fear?
Never finding that special someone who I can have a life with. I almost had it with this girl Vanessa, but I know it's not meant to be. I guess I'm kind of scared of never finding a woman I can fall in love with.
Do you have any special talents or abilities?
Aside from being highly sanctimonious, pompous and arrogant simultaneously? Well, I'm a pretty good writer and not afraid of working really long hours.
How do you see your future?
*laughing* You want to know something? I can't see past the next three months, but okay, I'll bite. I see my future like this - getting through school, getting a job, meeting a beautiful woman, and having a family. I would like to be a journalist someday. Hell, maybe I'll even be an anchor for CNN, if I'm really lucky and don't screw it up.
If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?
Oh, that's easy: my grandfather. Grandpa Ferragamo, from what I've been told, was a great man. He worked hard, was a great writer, and started a print shop that's still in operation today. I really wish I could talk to him and know what real sacrifice and real leadership is all about.
Where can we find out more about you?
Well, right now there's not a lot about me out there, but my story will, hopefully, be available to read soon. Just keep an eye out for A 38 Day Education by John E. Guzzardo.
Links
Website - www.getinjohnshead.com
Blog – getinjohnshead.wordpress.com
Twitter - @GetinJohnsHead
Facebook - JohnEGuzzardo
Book: A 38 Day Education by John Guzzardo
Tell me a little about yourself. Where do you live?
Well, I'm originally from Palm Harbor, Florida. It's part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. Right now, I'm in school at South Central College. It's in a small town in southern Georgia called Danielsonville.
Who is the most important person in your life?
My roommate, Martin Ballard. He's a great guy; like a brother in a lot of ways. We have great conversations and we both respect each other very much. I think, when it comes down to it, he's one of the reasons I look forward to coming back to school every fall. We're like family.
What was your childhood like?
It was a mixed bag, really. I grew up in Schenectady, New York, but I could never really get into the cold; I used to play in the snow alone, and I spent a lot of time at the playground by myself. Most of my childhood was spent in my room reading, outside playing by myself, or at the library. My dad inherited the print shop my grandfather started, but after ten years of trying to run the shop and have his own career, he decided he didn't want to be a printer, and sold it. He had been working as a manager for a trucking company when he was transferred to Scranton, Pennsylvania. We lived there until I was about 13, when we moved to Palm Harbor. I went to public school in New York, Catholic school in
PA, and back into public school in Florida. Never had too many friends - most of my classmates called my nerdy, dorky and stupid. When we moved to Florida, I was in high school and came into my own. I love the warm weather.
Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?
That would probably have to be Tasha Davidson. She's the Vice President of Student Government. Not to sound disrespectful or rude, but she's that really irritating sort of wealthy, the sort who looks at a guy like me and just sneers like "you aren't good enough to breathe the same air with me." I deal with her because it's a necessary evil, nothing more, nothing less.
What is the most important thing in your life?
I can't say for sure. My education is important. My family is important. Right now, the most important thing in my life is helping keep my college newspaper, The Scope, running. It's the first place I've ever felt like I fit in, and now I'm doing the best I can to keep it running. The staff is like my family and friends, and I don't want to let them down.
What is your biggest fear?
Never finding that special someone who I can have a life with. I almost had it with this girl Vanessa, but I know it's not meant to be. I guess I'm kind of scared of never finding a woman I can fall in love with.
Do you have any special talents or abilities?
Aside from being highly sanctimonious, pompous and arrogant simultaneously? Well, I'm a pretty good writer and not afraid of working really long hours.
How do you see your future?
*laughing* You want to know something? I can't see past the next three months, but okay, I'll bite. I see my future like this - getting through school, getting a job, meeting a beautiful woman, and having a family. I would like to be a journalist someday. Hell, maybe I'll even be an anchor for CNN, if I'm really lucky and don't screw it up.
If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?
Oh, that's easy: my grandfather. Grandpa Ferragamo, from what I've been told, was a great man. He worked hard, was a great writer, and started a print shop that's still in operation today. I really wish I could talk to him and know what real sacrifice and real leadership is all about.
Where can we find out more about you?
Well, right now there's not a lot about me out there, but my story will, hopefully, be available to read soon. Just keep an eye out for A 38 Day Education by John E. Guzzardo.
Links
Website - www.getinjohnshead.com
Blog – getinjohnshead.wordpress.com
Twitter - @GetinJohnsHead
Facebook - JohnEGuzzardo