There is a new face greeting visitors to the offices of Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerald Hyland at the Mount Vernon Government Center on Parkers Lane. Susanna Ven, 22, joined Hyland's staff as the new receptionist at the beginning of this month.
Formerly of Springfield where she attended Robert E. Lee High School, she moved to Audubon Avenue, in the Mount Vernon area, three years ago with her mother, two sisters and brother. Susanna is a 2004 graduate of West Potomac High School.
"I'm planning to go to college on line and major in elementary school teaching. It's just like being in class only it affords you the opportunity to attend classes based on your own schedule," she said.
"You have to be ‘in class’ on line at least three days a week for at least 30 minutes each day. Those three days can be any day of the week," Susanna said.
Born in Boston, Mass., after her mother came to this country from Cambodia during the Vietnam War, she moved to Northern Virginia when she was less than a year old. Her two sisters, Jenny, 17, and Tary, 14, as well as her 13-year-old brother, Tauna, were all born in Northern Virginia. Her mother, Sim Ven, is employed by Safeway and Cosco, according to Susanna.
Here is Susanna Ven in her own words.
<cl>How would you describe yourself?
<bt>"I'm outgoing, polite and well mannered."
<cl>What's the favorite part of your new job?
<bt>"Learning new things constantly. This is also a very nice environment in which to work. It's nice and calm."
<cl>What's the one thing you enjoy most about the Mount Vernon area?
<bt>"Being surrounded by all the American history like Mount Vernon and the other sites."
<cl>What are some of your favorite places in the Mount Vernon area?
<bt>"All the parks that you can visit and enjoy."
<cl>What's the one thing you would change about the area if you could?
<bt>"I would stop all the littering that I see along the roads and in the streams."
<cl>What book would you recommend?
<bt>"‘Anna's Baby.’ It's story of a young girl who gets pregnant by a boy who then abandons her and her struggle to learn to be a good and caring mother. I also like romance novels in general."
<cl>What's the last movie you saw and really enjoyed?
<bt>"300. It was awesome."
<cl>What's your favorite television show?
<bt>"I like both One Tree Hill and Smallville."
<cl>Do you have any hobbies?
<bt>"Dancing and exercising"
<cl>Where is your favorite vacation spot?
<bt>"Myrtle Beach. They have great miniature golf courses."
<cl>How would you most like to spend one day?
<bt>"Sitting at home playing scrabble with my brother and sisters. We don't get a lot of time to spend together with all our different schedules."
<cl>If you could be anyone else, who would that be?
<bt>"Bennett Calahan. He is a family friend who had a great deal of influence on my life."