Arista Elderkin (she/her) is the Student Representative of the Southern Region and the former Associate Student Representative. Arista recently graduated from Berry College with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education. She is now starting her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Alabama in the fall. Arista is very excited to continue serving the Southern region again this year
1. I chose to become an English Major because I have always loved to read, explore new works of literature, and I’ve always been inspired by my English teachers and professors to become an educator and teach English!
2. My favorite part of being an English Major/Minor is having the opportunity to be in a special community where reading is encouraged, loved, and always feeling a sense of belonging and support.
3. The last book I read was Every Summer After by Carly Fortune
4. My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, and my favorite series is the Southern Reach series by Jeff VanderMeer.
5. A book character I identify with is Matilda from Matilda by Roald Dahl.
6. The last book I bought was The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings and I am yet to read it.
7. My favorite book to movie adaptation is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.
8. I’m more of a reader.
9. My favorite style of writing is narrative.
10. My go-to children’s book is Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.
11. My favorite childhood memory is getting to move around and meet so many new people and see new places.
12. Growing up, I was sure I would be a Teacher.
13. My first job was working as a camp counselor at a country club.
14. My dream job is being a Librarian or School Media Specialist/Librarian.
15. I like to spend my free time doing Traveling, crafting, thrifting, reading, and going to local coffee shops.
16. The destination at the top of my travel bucket list is Skopelos, Greece.
17. The literary place I’d most like to visit is Juliet’s house in Verona, Italy.
18. If I could move anywhere in the world, I’d live in any New England state.
19. If I was stranded on a desert island, the three things I would bring with me are my kindle, a pocketknife, and my best friend.
20. What is one song you could listen to on repeat? Spring Into Summer by Lizzy McAlpine.
21. The best gift I ever received was a painted landscape of one of my favorite spots on my college campus that was given to me by a mentor of mine.
22. The best gift I’ve ever given is anything that I’ve given someone that is both useful and valuable to them.
23. If you find me in the kitchen, I’m typically whipping up a pizza.
24. If I could try any food from a book or series, it would be The fried chicken from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
25. The author (dead or alive) I’d most like to spend a day with is Emily Henry.
