Cindy Burton, senior Spanish major, was raised in Lima, Peru and moved to Dallas at the age of 18. She attended the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and planned only to visit the U.S. for three months to better learn English. Once she was in America, Burton’s aunt and uncle encouraged her to stay.
According to Burton her aunt wanted her to succeed in the English language so much that she discouraged Burton to have any conversations between friends or family members in Spanish, fully submerging herself in English language.
Because of her dedication and hard work, Burton became fluent in English. Burton married a fellow Spanish graduate from Texas Christian University. Due to her husband’s occupation, Burton was given the ability to travel around the country, before finally settling down in Augusta, Ga. Burton began attending Augusta State University in 2008 and is set to graduate in May.
While at Augusta State, Burton has twice won the superior ranking on the AATSP-GA University Composition Contest and is a new initiate of the Phi Kappa Phi, a national honor society. She has recently won the University Student of the Year Award. This award is given only to the top 10 percent of the senior graduating class. She was nominated by Jana Sandarg and Sara Griswold for her outstanding academic achievement in Spanish and community involvement. Her volunteer work includes interpreting at the Clinica Latina for Hispanic women, working at the Hispanic Festival and tutoring Augusta State students. Sandarg, a professor of Spanish, had Burton as a student in several of her classes.
“I give it to her, she is that A+ student that every professor hopes for,” Sandarg said. “She’s so thorough and complete- way better than I was as a student.”
Katrina Wright, a foreign langauge major, described Burton as very interactive in class and even expressed how great it was to have her around to study with for exams. Burton said that her love for Spanish stems from her desire to travel and learn about new cultures.
“I try to stretch myself,” Burton said. I am so interested in different Spanish cultures and dialects that I wouldn’t ever take my Spanish classes for granted. I am always excited to learn more about the Hispanic culture.”
Burton explained, just as English teachers have to learn the aspects of the English language, she too has to learn the Hispanic culture, grammar and linguistics so that she can properly teach it to others.
Burton expressed that after graduating from college she would love to pursue a career in teaching Spanish. It is this desire that continues to propel Burton into the future and career of her dreams.