May 09, 2007 - 04:16:09 CDT
Attending Bismarck State College became a family tradition for Marytza Beaubrum. It started with her eldest brother."Girard thought North Dakota was exotic, and I came for tradition," she said.
North Dakota seemed exotic to someone from Haiti because of the snow. Her brothers Girard and David attended BSC. David is now in the power plant production program and Girard is at North Dakota State University.
Beaubrum will graduate from BSC Friday. The ceremony is at 2:30 p.m. at the Bismarck Civic Center. But she's missing the ceremony. She figures that's keeping up with family tradition as well. Her brother, Girard, missed graduation because of a piano performance. She's missing the graduation ceremony because of an interview at Pace University.
Her future after BSC is clear, except for where. She will find out soon if she earns a scholarship that will help her go to the University of Maimi, her first choice.
"(Haiti) is 45 minutes by plane" from Miami, she said.
She will find out in May if she receives the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship, which provides up to $30,000 a year.
Another option is NDSU. She wants to study political science and economics so she can eventually study international law in law school.
"My whole family does (politics) in Haiti," she said. "When Iwas growing up and the grown-ups would talk about politics, I wanted to talk about it."
She wants to be a lawyer and eventually go back to Haiti and be a politician.
"They're not ready for a woman or someone young. I'll wait," she said.
She goes home to Haiti during winter and summer breaks. She flies to Denver, then Miami, before getting on a plane for Haiti.
"It's worth it to go see my mom," she said.
A large university poses a new challenge, she said. It will give her a chance to see how she makes it on her own, with less help.
BSC provided her a personalized education, which was important for learning to speak English in everyday settings, she said. At home, she speaks French and Creole.
"I know English, but to go to a place where they speak only English and everyone helps" made a difference, she said.
She looks forward to attending a large university to test her ability in an environment where she needs to rely more on herself. At BSC, she received personal attention from instructors, and that helped when she had to learn to speak English in everyday settings.
While at BSC, she was involved in the multicultural club, was the multicultural club's representative to the student board of governors, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and in drama club. She performed in "Nickel and Dimed" and "Man of La Mancha."
"In acting you vocalize, but dancing, your body says everything," she said.
She knows how to do all kinds of dance, which she began learning at 3. Her favorites are modern and Haitian folklore.
(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.