Andreia Gibau ’18CPS
St. John’s public relations major Andreia Gibau ’18CPS combines her passion for service with a lifelong interest in pageant competition. Last March, she won the Miss Teen New York contest with a platform emphasizing her involvement with Best Buddies, an organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Gibau, also a top-15 competitor in the 2013 Miss Teen Massachusetts pageant, became involved with Best Buddies out of a desire to prevent bullying like that experienced by her cousin, who is autistic.
"I wanted to stand up for her,” said Gibau, “and for every kid who was bullied because they had intellectual disabilities." She started a chapter at St. John's last September that currently numbers over 40 members.
Next semester, St. John’s Best Buddies will be paired with Queens elementary students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. "The hope,” she said, “is that they will form friendships that allow the young students to develop self-esteem and flourish," she said.
“Competing in pageants has increased my confidence,” stressed Gibau, who hopes to carve out a career as a TV personality or start her own business. "It also emphasizes public speaking skills and being able to converse with a diverse range of people.” In July, she will compete in Miss Teen United States in Washington, DC.
Gibau said the Vincentian mission of St. John's has become an integral part of her life. "I love the way service is celebrated here,” she noted. “It pushes you to do even more, and whatever I've done will hopefully inspire others."
More Stories Like This
Despite facing challenges posed by an autoimmune condition, Alicia Furnari ’23CCPS, a soon-to-be double alumna of St. John’s, found unwavering support from the University. This fostered her growth as a Hospitality Management undergraduate, and later, as a graduate student and rising star in the hospitality industry.
Audrey O’Connor, a Biology major and Chemistry minor in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spent last summer researching Celiac disease as part of a 10-week research program at Colorado State University.
Inspired by a deep passion for history and culture, Maria Wood, a dual-degree student in the M.A. in Public History and M.S. in Library and Information Science program in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, created “The Ellis Island Experience,” a field trip guide for Ellis Island, one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.