Amber Cocchiola (pronounced Caw-chee-OH-la), a senior at Bio-Med Science Academy—the STEM+M school on the NEOMED campus—is the new student intern in the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
Where are you from? How long have you lived in Northeast Ohio?
I was born in a little section of Tampa, Florida known as New Tampa. There was an alligator-infested pond behind my house and I was almost bitten by a turtle and a snake a couple of times. Because of that, the traffic and the heat, my parents decided to pack up and move to my grandpa’s farm in Randolph, Ohio in 2005. Since my parents weren’t from Northeast Ohio, it has been a learning experience figuring out each town’s unique set of rules and the vernacular of the area.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I’m very proud of my accomplishments in voice, the most recent being the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s decision to cast me as “The Youth” in their production of Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah. Since Bio-Med does not have a choir, I sing with the Summit Choral Society. I have a love of music in general, as both my parents are music educators. Reading fantasy novels, watching too much TV and sleeping fill the rest of my free time.
What’s the best thing about being a Bio-Med student?
The freedom to tailor assignments and activities to your own interests is what makes me love going to Bio-Med. I love that I can bring creativity and enthusiasm into everything I do.
Favorite book?
Just one? I recently just finished a book called Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake that I highly enjoyed.
Last show you binge-watched?
Shadowhunters. I absolutely hated the books, but the TV show is pretty addictive. I usually despise dramatic teen soap operas, but I love these characters. Well, most of the characters.
If you could transform into any animal, which one would you choose?
I would transform into a cat—more specifically, my cat. She does nothing all day and is rewarded.
How about that dream job?
I’d love to own and perform in my own opera company. Opera is not on an upward trend in terms of popularity, so I assume this will just remain a dream.