My name is Jennifer Centa and I am from Greenville, South Carolina. I just graduated from Mauldin High School and will be heading to Yale University this fall! 

Just from a few weeks interning and shadowing at the various programs UM offers, I have learned so much about the housing crisis in Greenville. The lack of affordable housing, whether through gentrification or simply rising market prices, has hit the community and many of our participants very hard. 

I love to live by the Japanese proverb, “Nana korobi, ya oki,” which in English is translated to, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” 

I am a pianist, and had the wonderful opportunity to perform a solo piano concerto alongside the Clemson Symphony Orchestra as well as the Carolina Youth Symphony. Both experiences were amazing, (and nerve-wracking), but I am glad that my hard work paid off! 

A couple of fun facts about me: I think Oreos are so overrated! It’s too sweet and the cookie tastes like cardboard. As for the underrated snack, I totally recommend Harvest Snaps! The snap pea crisps are so delicious and they seem like a healthy (ish) snack option.  When it comes to household chores, washing the dishes is the worst. My hands get pruny and it takes forever because I procrastinate by letting the dishes pile up!