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Home > Featured Stories > Community of Scholars > October 2007 > Family is 'Top Priority' for Campos ClanFamily is 'Top Priority' for Campos Clan
He tells me countless times how proud of me he is and how he couldn't ask for a better 'Wolfpack daughter.'
Alysondria Campos, talking about her father, Aurelio, a Marine serving in Iraq
Alysondria Campos, center, along with her family and Chancellor James Oblinger.
By Dave Pond, Web Communication
More than 6,000 miles now divide members of NC State sophomore Alysondria Campos' family, but they were together Saturday, Sept. 29, at Carter-Finley Stadium to be recognized as the university's 2007 Family of the Year.
"My family and I work as one unit," Campos wrote in the essay she submitted for the annual contest, coordinated by the Office of Parents & Families Services. "We try our best to support each other no matter what, and to offer advice where we feel necessary."
Because her essay was selected, Campos received a $425 book scholarship for the spring semester, and her entire family - including father, Aurelio, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran who has since returned to Al Asas, Iraq to continue his third tour of duty - was able to enjoy Saturday's NC State/Louisville football game and participate in an on-field ceremony.
"It meant a lot to me to have my family there, but especially my dad," Alysondria Campos said. "He is probably my main source of support, and even though he's overseas, he makes it a priority to email and to place phone calls to take care of things at home.
"He loves football, and just to have everyone all in one spot to relax, spend a weekend together and have fun was just amazing," she said. "It was a great time."
With her father serving overseas and the rest of her family two hours away from everyday life, Campos - who is on pace to be the first member of her immediate family to graduate from college - has seen her support network grow to include those in the NC State family as well.
"I have a lot of faculty and staff I trust here," she said. "I have been able to go to my instructors with different issues, and they have been very understanding of the situation I've faced with my dad being deployed. It has really helps to know you can talk to people on campus rather than having to depend solely on your family at home."
Besides Alysondria and Aurelio, the Campos family includes mother Diedre - the "foundation and heart" of the family, Alysondria said - brothers Dayton, 15, and Dalton, 8, and sister Alyceanna, 6.
"They are my top priority," Alysondria said. "I put them before anything - without them, I'd be nothing."
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2007 NC State University Family of the Year Essay
By Alysondria Campos
Sophomore, Civil Engineering
“The choices you make will dictate the life you lead,” he said.
Throughout my entire life, I have heard this quote come from my daddy. On the day I chose to go to NC State, my life changed as I became a part of the WOLFPACK family. My whole family was so proud of me. Being that neither of my parents finished college, this was my chance to make my life an easier one than they had.
My daddy is one of the most loving people I have ever had in my life. He has always been there for me through thick and thin. Even when I know I’ve made a huge mistake, I can always call on him to fix everything. He is a marine and in Iraq right now for the third time, and it’s also the longest of all his previous deployments - 14 months. Even though he’s far away, he does his very best to help out our family the best he can. He tells me countless times how proud of me he is and how he couldn’t ask for a better “Wolfpack daughter.” He wears a NC State football shirt to workout in and loves to brag when asked about it.
My momma is probably the strongest woman I will ever come across. Being a Marine wife is not an easy task at all, and having four kids only makes it more difficult. Whether its cheerleading, soccer, or football, she is constantly running my siblings around and still makes times to call me and make sure everything is okay. The front of her car reads “Wolfpack Mom” and the day I gave that to her, she cried because she was so happy that I was being productive with my life and that I had goals and dreams put into action.
Dayton, my 15-year-old brother and my best friend, is the only person in this world who could write an accurate biography about me. Dayton is my biggest fan and sends me text messages that read, “Sissy I’m so proud of you, Do good in school and remember, wolves never give up the fight.” He has been to the NC State football camp two years in a row now and has ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! He got the opportunity to talk with Tom O’Brien and to Dayton, that was probably on of the greatest things ever to happen. He wears his NC State shirts all time - especially on game day - and is quick to diss on any of his Carolina-fan friends.
Then there’s the little one, Dalton, my 8-year-old brother. All you have to do is ask him who the best school in the world is and he will yell “NC STATE UNIVERSITY, DUH!” He proudly wears his NC State apparel to school, to soccer practice and every other day he finds the shirt clean (Or on occasion, dirty). Before I left to college last year, he wrote down my phone number and calls me throughout the year to tells me he loves me and that he is wearing his shirt.
Youngest of the Campos clan, is Alyceanna, also known as my “Mini-Me.” She is a beautiful, smart little 6-year-old with the dream of being a Wolfpack cheerleader. Alyceanna makes me a better person every time she tells me, “Sissy, I’m going to be just like you.” She inspires me to do great things in my life, in hopes that she will choose to follow in my footsteps. Whenever she sees something that slightly relates to NC State she says, “My sissy goes there.” I love her so much and am grateful that God put someone in my life that dreams of being just like me.
My family and I work as one unit. We try our best to do everything together, support each other no matter what, and to offer advice where we feel necessary. I love them all so much and I know without a doubt they love me the same. My daddy is coming home from Iraq on the 16th of this month for 13 days. He defends our country and indirectly protects this university. I think that this is a wonderful opportunity to get my family together, relax, and cheer on the Wolfpack! They would all be so honored to know I nominated them for this award.
The Campos family is the Family of the Year, and they support me and NC State 150 percent! I know I put five family members, but I have always been taught never to leave blood behind because you may need it. I love them and I know if you met them you would see how strong our family is and what phenomenal people they are. The family of the year is the CAMPOS FAMILY!