Summer — 2006

Sonali Perera

Communications

“One of my best teachers has to be Mr. Hobel in English. He just wipes out any reasons for people to be shy in his classroom.”

You might well ask what Hershey’s Kisses have to do with studying the English language. But in Sonali Perera’s class with Professor Hobel, chocolate and Chaucer are not at all strange bedfellows. “What this guy does in the classroom is to make everything lively. Like, today he threw us an assignment where we’d get into groups and discuss the packaging for this new kind of chocolate,” says Sonali. “He wants us all in groups, interacting and participating. He told us, ‘If you don’t want to work together with other students, you’d better find another teacher. Because in this class, you’re going to be a part of it.’ ”

It’s in broadcasting that Sonali plans to make her onscreen mark in the world. “I’ve already had the experience of being on TV, and I’ve also done modeling and films. The last movie I was in was White Chicks, with the Wayans brothers. That was an awesome experience. They were too much!” she says with a laugh. “But being on TV as an entertainment host is really what I’m aiming for. And in a few years, you’ll be hearing me say, ‘Live from Los Angeles! I’m your host, Sonali Perera.’ ”

But before she makes it big on the small screen, Sonali plans on settling in for some demanding study. “I want to transfer to UCLA for my Bachelor’s degree, because you really need that educational background to succeed and compete.” But her key to success thus far at SMC is an approach to learning that she hopes others will take to heart. “To get the most out of this school, it’s critical to socialize with others. When you realize that people all around you have the same problems and challenges, it really cuts down on your own stresses and helps you out with everything you’re learning.”

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