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Abdikadir Adan is from Columbia Heights, Minnesota. He graduated from Columbia Heights High School. Abdi wants to major in political science and play football for St. Olaf College. He also wants to study abroad, but he is still deciding where. Abdi likes to play sports, watch movies, read novels, and travel. The best things about the PEP Summer Bridge program for Abdi were the study sessions, the trips, and getting to know the other PEP members. He says, "I have enjoyed all the things I did in PEP, and the study sessions were very fun and helpful."

Carlos Ascencio is from Glendale, California where he graduated from Glendale High School. Carlos is undecided about his major. He would like to join the Chess Club at St. Olaf. Carlos likes playing chess and listening to music. Track and field is his favorite sport, in which he loves to run the 800 and 400-meter races. The best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program for Carlos was the help he received from his peers. When asked if there was something else he would like to share, Carlos said, "I am married to Griselda Ascencio and have a beautiful daughter named Danelle."

Shawntel Carter is from Richfield, Minnesota. She graduated from Richfield Senior High School.  Shawntel wants to major in something that has a pre-medicine background, but she is undecided for now.  She likes shopping, clubbing, going to the beach and reading. Shawntel said, "The best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program is Melissa."

Tashi Chomzom is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Southwest High School. At St. Olaf, she sees herself getting ready to fulfill her dreams. Tashi wants to major in Biology. She likes reading comics, watching Indian movies, and talking with friends. Her favorite sports are tennis and badminton. For Tashi, the best thing about PEP is that it prepares students for college.

Miguel Diaz is from Bell Gardens, California where he graduated from Bell Gardens High School. Miguel is undecided about his major. He plans to join the soccer and baseball teams here at St. Olaf. He would also like to join Presente. Miguel loves sports and listening to rock music. The best thing about PEP for Miguel was the help in the transition from high school to college, learning about other cultures, making friends and learning academic skills. Miguel says, "I am open minded to everything."

Coy Eastridge is from Bell Gardens, California. He graduated from Bell Gardens High School. Coy wants to major in computer science. He likes playing instruments, rollerblading, and running. His favorite sports are track and field and cross-country .For Coy, the best things about the PEP Summer Bridge program were learning about St. Olaf and meeting new people.

Monique Galvan is from Pico Rivera, California. She graduated from Bell Gardens High School. Monique wants to major in social studies education and possibly Hispanic studies or a psychology concentration. She wants to be involved in cross-country, track, Harambe, Presente, the Salsa club, Swing Club, and maybe more if possible. Monique plans to study abroad in Hawaii. She also likes telling stories and making new best friends. Her favorite sports are soccer, cross-country and track. For Monique, the best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program was to be able to adapt and be familiar with St. Olaf and Minnesota. Monique says, "Do you want to be my BEST friend?"

Gabriel Guerrero is from Bell Gardens, California. He graduated from Bell Gardens High School. 1- undecided about his major. He likes sports (his favorites are cross-country and track), drawing and partying. For Gabriel the best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program was the people he met. Gabriel says," I am a great runner. "

Amanda Hakala is from Cromwell, Minnesota and graduated from Cromwell-Wright High School. At time she is undecided about her major. Amanda knows that she wants to go abroad~ but is not sure exa4 where--she is keeping her options open for now. Amanda likes reading, drawing, cross-country skiing, hiking, watching movies and TV, and being with her friends and family. The best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program for Amanda has been the head start she received in knowing what college is like, the strong bonds she formed with the rest of the "Peppers" and seeing how the weekend activities brought them closer.

Melissa Hinderscheit is from Janesville, Minnesota. She graduated from Janesville- Waldorf Pemberton High School. She sees herself graduating from St. Olaf in four years and meeting new people. Melissa plans to be an art major. She also wants to study abroad in Ireland and somewhere around Europe. In her free time, Melissa likes drawing, painting, reading, and rollerblading. Her favorite sports are volleyball a badminton. For her the best things about the PEP Summer Bridge program were meeting new people a getting to know the campus. Melissa said, "I would like to travel and see the world."

Jessica Lee is from St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from Central High School. Jessica is undecided about her major at this moment. At St. Olaf College, she wants to be involved in minority awareness a culture clubs and any other organization she has time for. Jessica also wants to study somewhere out of Minnesota, but is still looking for which place. She likes sleeping, listening to music and hanging out with her friends and family. When asked what the best thing of the PEP Summer Bridge program is, Jessica says "meeting new people and the opportunity to live college life before actually going to college."

Hanh Nguyen is from Northfield, Minnesota and graduated from Northfield High School. Hanh wants to major in biology and pre-medicine. While attending St. Olaf, she wants to be involved in community service and an international student organization. She also wants to study abroad in Asia. Hanh likes watching the sunset and her favorite sports are tennis, ping-pong and badminton. For Hanh the best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program were the activities because they created a tight bond between people. She thinks PEP was a great way to meet people before school started.

Pha Le Nguyen is from Kenyon, Minnesota. She graduated from Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. Pha Le wants to major in pre-medicine. She likes playing the piano, drawing, watching TV, and knitting. Her favorite sports are tennis, basketball and badminton. The best thing about the PEP Summer program to Pha Le was having all of the opportunities to have fun, saying, "We make new friends. We have fun activities during the weekends. We have the best TA's and mentors to help us with biology, and we got to know St. Olaf."

Donnita Osborn is from St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Paul Central High School. During her free time, Donnita likes to play basketball. According to her, the best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge Program was getting the biology class completed and out of the way. While she is at St. Olaf, Donnita plans to major in sociology and social work. She would also like to study abroad in Africa.

Lisa Passus is from St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from Central High School. Lisa is undecided about her major, but she is looking into international business and Japanese. She also wants to study abroad in Japan and possibly in France. Lisa likes reading, drawing, surfing the net, dancing, listening to music and sleeping. The best things about the PEP Summer Bridge program for Lisa have been getting to know people, moving into permanent residence halls early, early registration, taking a course with help from biology TA's and mentors, having fun in the activities and the people. Lisa said, "I'm really enjoying myself here, although we have a busy schedule and a hard course. It's getting me back in 'school' mode after summer."

Michael Rischmiller is from Faribault, Minnesota and graduated from Faribault High School. Mike wants, major in psychology and chemistry .He likes swimming, reading, working on his computer, talking to friends, playing in a band, and performing in plays. In his opinion, the best thing about the PEP Summer ridge program is that he will know where everything is on campus before school starts and that he gets to love into his room before every one else. Mike said, "Probably the best thing about PEP is meeting new people and making friends before you face three thousand strangers in September. I also get to avoid the hysteria on move-in day."

Jesse Sabean is from Little Canada, Minnesota. He graduated from Roseville High School. Jesse wants to major in pre-engineering and plans to study abroad in Australia. He likes all sports, but his all time favorites are baseball, hockey and football. The best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program for Jesse was receiving a college credit and getting a lab out of the way. When asked if there is anything he would like to share, Jesse said, "My roommate is Coy and he is an ANIMAL!"

Lindsay Schaffer is from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. She graduated from Central High School. Lindsay wants to major in biology and education. At St. Olaf College, she wants to be involved in everything. She would like to study abroad in Korea or somewhere in the United Kingdom. Lindsay likes to read, paint, draw, and sing. She also likes playing badminton. The best thing about the PEP Summer Bridge program for Lindsay was meeting new people.

Dexter G. Watson II is from Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Providence St. Mel High School. Dexter wants to major in mathematics with a computer science concentration and is looking into economics and physics. He is currently the Vice President of Cultural Union for Black Expression (CUBE), a member of the Gospel Choir, plays basketball for St. Olaf and he is a DJ in KSTO (St. Olaf's radio station). He plans to study abroad, but has not decided where. His likes playing all sports (especially basketball), fixing and working with computers, listening to music, collecting CD's, and playing video games. The best thing about PEP for Dexter was meeting new people, cooking and eating homemade food, being introduced to other cultures, taking trips, beginning team sports, and taking Biology 123 with a lab with the help of the talented TA's and group mentors.

Jonathan Xiaaj is from Apple Valley, Minnesota. He graduated from Eastview High School. Jonathan does not know exactly what his major will be, but he is looking into political science, Japanese and Spanish. He would like to join student government, student council, and an Asian awareness group. Jonathan would so like to study in Japan for a year. His hobbies are mountain biking, playing basketball, spending time with his family and racing cars on the streets. The best thing about being in PEP for Jonathan is the preparation he received in a college course and the opportunity of exploring. Jonathan added, "I am half Hmong and half Chinese. I like to play the drums and love music. My favorite color is yellow, and my future car is a yellow Lamborghini. If you want to call me sometime my phone number is extension 2448. Just leave a message and I'll call back ASAP."

Mee Yang is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School. Mee wants to major in music education. At St. Olaf, she wants to be involved in orchestra, choir, a multicultural club, or possibly a foreign language club. Mee would love to study abroad in Ireland and France. She likes reading romance novels, writing poetry, playing the violin, painting, drawing and sketching. Mee said, "I believe that the best thing about the PEP summer bridge program is giving us the opportunity to explore and feel what college life and education is like before we actually start college with our other freshmen classmates."