Bellefonte High’s Class of 2021 alumni Bella Corman is quickly approaching some big achievements in both the U.S. and the U.K.
In one semester, Bella studied media and communications in eight different countries. As this is an amazing opportunity, she says she is beyond grateful to have been able to experience this in just ten weeks.
While she visited England, Austria, Germany, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain, France, and Croatia, most of her time studying was spent at the Goldsmiths University of London. During her time here, Bella mainly focused on studying politics.
“It was fascinating to hear the perspectives of the professors on current affairs impacting the world today,” Bella said.
Though Croatia was her favorite country to visit, Bella shares her most memorable experience over the semester was taking eight of her friends to Paris to celebrate her birthday. Getting the chance to have her friends, all studying abroad in different countries, to reunite for the weekend was something she would never forget.
During her high school years, Bella feels some of her proudest moments were winning the congressional art competition, performing her first political debate, and playing a major role in the Raider Review. She gives much credit to her time at Bellefonte for her current success.
“Without my high school experiences, I would be completely different and that is why I am so grateful for my time at Bellefonte. While college has introduced me to diversity in so many ways, my high school experience will always be an important part of my life.”
This year, Bella also got the opportunity of a lifetime to intern for Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. During her time alongside McCarthy, she worked directly for his political team at the National Republican Congressional Committee, also known as the NRCC. Bella helped organize fundraisers and other events while learning so many valuable lessons along the way.
“The most exciting event I got to plan was the Republican Congressional intern night which over five hundred people attended,” she said.
Bella also gives credit to McCarthy for the experiences and knowledge she gained while working with him.
“Speaker McCarthy was an absolute pleasure to work for and I’m so thankful for him and his team for giving me the opportunity.”
While traveling all over the world, and interning for McCarthy, Bella also accomplished her childhood dream of becoming the president of her sorority, Alpha Phi. Bella has always been a leader in sports, academics, and clubs. Becoming president has made Bella a better friend, daughter, and sister.
“Wanting to be sorority president surprised no one. My favorite part of being president is that younger girls look up to me for guidance.”
Through a sorority sister, Bella booked a CNN interview, in search of an opinion from a college student on upcoming elections. Two years later, Bella ended up booking a debate about recent US Supreme Court decisions with News Nation.
“Sororities span further than just fun activities on campus, they establish true friendships that last a lifetime.”
This semester, Bella is looking forward to seeing all of her friends she missed while traveling, as well as her professors.
As she goes into her spring semester of junior year, Bella will be interning for a political consulting firm in DC. Bella plans to become a research assistant for her political communications professor, David Eisenhower, as her family, friends, professors, and peers watch her continue to succeed from back home.
