Carmelarae “Cami” Roa

Class of 2007
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

What activities are you involved in at MBC?
I play soccer, and you can see me at the gym with a soccer ball, basketball, or in the weight room. I also participate in clubs such as African Student Kollective, Caribbean Students Association, and our signature program, Quest. You may see me wearing a yellow shirt with “RA Staff” written across it, because I am a student leader on campus through the resident advisor's staff.

What are your passions?
What is most important to me is family and friends. They get me through life. I’m a kinesthetic learner as well, so you will often see me with either a crochet hook or knitting needles — I love to do both. I’m an avid sports fan so if there is any athletic event on television you cannot get me away from the screen. My favorite books are mystery novels, I have eclectic taste in music — you can blast anything by my ears, and I’ll listen.

What makes you an MBC woman?
I have the mind, body, and character of an MBC woman. I am smart and can hold my own in a conversation. I’m pursuing a degree in mathematics. Sit me in front of Jeopardy™ or a game of Trivial Pursuit™ and you’ll wish you were on my team. I am also a fit Mary Baldwin woman. These hills can’t keep me down. I like to do physical activities, especially with a big group of people. The more friends I’m around, the better. Like most Baldwin women, I am confident in myself and not afraid to show the world just that. Respect is the name of my game.

What do you like best about Mary Baldwin?
There is a sense of community among women here. I like that the community does not just reside on the campus. If we were to see other Baldwin girls outside of Baldwin and outside of Staunton, that sense of community would be evident. When you go into town or out to eat, you run into Mary Baldwin alumnae and then you are family. The environment at Mary Baldwin allows women to befriend other women we wouldn’t ever meet normally. The cheerleader-at-heart and the goth girl are best friends at Baldwin.

What are your career ambitions?
As of now, I am not sure. I do want to pursue graduate school.

What phrase best describes your life here?
“No woman ever made history by being well-behaved.”

How have your goals, dreams, or directions changed since coming to Mary Baldwin?
I used to think that I would like working with children, and I thought that social justice was my calling. But I found that I am more useful somewhere else. Hopefully, mathematics will take me to my calling.

What has most surprised you about college?
College has made me realize that the world is way bigger than Northern Virginia.

If you were to recommend one MBC course to a friend, what would it be? Why?
To really get a taste of Mary Baldwin, Sociology: Pop Culture is perfect. They put on Air Band, a tradition at Mary Baldwin that brings the community together. Trust me, it is a big deal.

What do you like to do at Mary Baldwin?
I like hanging out with my friends, sunbathing on the hills, enjoying lunch outdoors, playing pool in Woodson, and going out for a run. I also like to see bands that come to play and supporting my friends in athletic events.

What will you take with you?
I will take the friendships I formed, the feeling of comfort in my own skin, and the sense of community that I hope to establish elsewhere on my life’s path.

What have been some challenges?
I have struggled with independence. Sometimes I struggle to get my work done because I only have myself to discipline me. I may get involved in too many things and it wears me out.

If you had the decision to make again, would you choose a women’s college? Mary Baldwin? Why?
Knowing what I know now about Baldwin, I’m glad that I made the decision to come here because I have changed for the better. I do wish I had joined VWIL, our corps of cadets, because of the respect that higher authorities in the military show it.

What advice would you give to new students?
If you are willing to make it here and participate in our community, you will grow in mind, body, and character. College in any atmosphere is what you make of it, but do not be scared to try it. You can make friends anywhere, but there is no other girl like a Baldwin girl.

What is your best memory, so far, at MBC?
If I could really tell my favorite memory, my best friend would kill me because it has to do with her hair. Anyway, another favorite memory was the time when I was a sophomore and a resident advisor. I was in a resident’s room discussing the vernacular of Virginia with other residents. The conversation must have lasted a couple hours. We were talking about phrases that other people used growing up like “I used to could.” We also hit the classic “is it soda or is it pop” enigma