Viola

Viola, 23, is a Filipino-American-Italian fashionista with big dreams. “I want a job, she says. “I want to be a photographer, model, and fashion designer." 

The Texas native and her family have also lived in Arizona, Connecticut, and now New York City. Viola enjoys visits to the Philippines as well, where she reconnects with family, practices her Tagalog, and tries Filipino cuisine. 

Viola has an impressive list of past and current skills and activities, beginning at the young age of 3 with Special Olympics cheerleading. At age 6, she began swimming lessons and developed a strong backstroke, which her mother Maria says is “a huge accomplishment for a baby who couldn’t hold her neck up until she was almost a year old.” Since then, Viola has both trained and competed in soccer, basketball, swimming, skiing, and bowling. At her high school, she was active as a member of the cheerleading team when not singing in the choir or assisting behind-the-scenes in theatre productions as a “techie.”

At home, Viola can usually be found journaling and working on her coloring books in front of the TV. Favorite shows include crime series “NCIS” and “Bones,” and some beloved movies of hers are “Iron Man,” “The Avengers,” and “High School Musical,” among many others. Maria says, “When she’s done with that, she'll be on her computer giggling while watching funny baby videos or crying while watching military men coming home from their deployment on YouTube.” (Relatable!) When not busy writing or catching up on her shows, Viola helps around the home. 

Maria says, “We were very lucky with Viola’s teachers and para-educators since she started school at age 3. Every single one of them, along with her eldest sister’s presence, played a big role in molding Viola. They taught her to be very helpful around the house. She sets the table, puts away the clean and dirty dishes, folds the laundry, cleans and tidies her room, and can do small tasks when asked.” Viola has also been active in virtual baking and cooking lessons through Gigi’s Playhouse. 

Maria adds, “One may feel that one will never have the freedom of being single again after all the kids have left the nest, because they will always be home with us unless they go to a group home. But the hugs, the silliness and the humor—and most of all, the unconditional love they bring—is very comforting.” Viola, your big heart and big dreams are so evident— we can’t wait to watch you shoot for the stars!