Introducing Bengy

I have a little sister who’s in college and two loving, supportive, sometimes overbearing parents.

Tennis! I started during the summers when I was 10 and then began lessons when I was about 12. My breakout season was my sophomore year of high school. Since then, everything’s gone downhill. I was a ballboy for a mandatory 1000 professional tournament in Cincinnati!

I did a 20-day, 7 country trip across Europe with a random group of students across the country through this program called People to People.

Probably Seoul, South Korea. I’ve mostly traveled to Europe, so spending an extended time in East Asia felt novel. You can’t beat the kimchi!

Woon in Historic Filipinotown (or Pasadena)! I recommend ordering the Beef noodles, chicken wings, and the pork buns. However, they do charge extra for chili oil, so points off for that!

I went to overnight summer camp for 12 years, starting when I was 6 until I graduated high school.  I was a camper, lifeguard, kitchen worker, and counselor over those years. I made so many incredible friends and met so many great kids.

My favorite TV series is Survivor. It gave me something to distract me during a tough time in life. I find it so inspiring watching regular people compete, be vulnerable with their emotions, and overcome the odds. I’ve auditioned every year since I was 16 and I’ve met several of the contestants.

My favorite birthday memory is my 21st birthday. On the same day, my sister graduated high school, which meant I got to celebrate one of her biggest accomplishments, pop a bottle with about 50 family members and friends, eat great soul food, and piggyback off her entire graduation celebration.

I’d love to be able to fly. I wish I could give you a better reason why I would choose to fly, but truthfully, I just think it would be cool. I’d love to be able to fly places and skip over all the traffic and say hello to the birds and such. I think that counts as active transportation, right?

I served as class president for my first 3 years of high school and student body president my senior year. My school was the #1 public school in Ohio at the time, so I got to do a lot of cool stuff. I’m currently leading a committee of my peers to plan out a 5-year reunion later this year.

1. A journal to write out my thoughts and feelings. I love reading what I wrote in the future, reminiscing, and re-cringing.

2. Running shoes because I love to exercise and all you need for a run are the right shoes.

3. Sunglasses because I’m not doing the whole island thing without a little protection or looking stylish.

If I could learn any skill instantly, I would choose to learn Spanish so I can communicate with more people in Los Angeles, make communication when traveling easier, and stop bothering Isaac and Cynthia to translate things for me.

I would like to meet Serena Williams because I’d love to learn insider knowledge on some of her most iconic matches/drama, learn more about how she’s been able to achieve so much, and maybe get a free tennis lesson.

My special AA memory was when I went to the Moreno Valley Rotary Club to facilitate 3 different presentations for RCTC. By the time the 3rd one was over, I knew the majority of their members by first name. Since I was out of presentations, they told me to come by during my lunch break! One day I think I’ll take them up on the offer. It’s certainly not the flashiest memory or achievement, but I think it’s a good example of what’s most important to me in my work and my life.

My favorite thing about working at AA is getting to learn more about transportation from the inside and the opportunity to connect with people of all kinds (stakeholders, clients, staff). I am a proud Metro rider, biker, and walker. But beyond that, I love listening, learning, and making memories in the office, in the field, and at our social events.