This week for Feature Friday we are so excited to give the spotlight to Jasmine Garvin! @jasgarvin has lived in the city of Poughkeepsie for most of her life, just recently graduated 9th in her class from Poughkeepsie High School, was stroke seat in the winning lightweight quad that just won at the 2019 NYS Scholastic Championship Regatta, and is currently interning for Mayor Rolison. She is currently a part of the band, Ill Harmonic, who work with @t_mcqueen_ at his studio on Main Street, and will be starting at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in Manhattan this August and can’t wait! Her favorite food spots around the city include the Big Tomato, El Azteca, Nelly’s, and Asia City (their teas and acai bowls are awesome.) She first met the mayor at Career Day at Poughkeepsie High School and had a really good conversation in which the Mayor asked her what kind of work she was looking to do. She told him she either wants to perform and do something with her art, or do something to help people and make a change. He told her City Hall was the perfect place for making changes.

When asked the question, “What do you like most about the City of Poughkeepsie? What are you going to miss when leave for school?” Jasmine answered, “Poughkeepsie’s got grit! I mean that in the best possible way. Every person I know here has faced some kind of challenge, whether its money, or family, or social. But we’re different, we hustle, we make things happen for ourselves. In Poughkeepsie, nothing is handed to you, and that gives us our grit. There’s definitely certain perceptions about people from Poughkeepsie, but just because someone tries to put you in a box doesn’t mean you have to stay there.
I also love the diversity of Poughkeepsie. So many people and experiences and cultures in one place. We’re different. You can’t define us by race. You can’t define us by language, or even accent. You can’t define us by one style. My team was always the most diverse crew team at meets. When we were up, you always knew it was us.” Jasmine, we have loved getting to hear your story and share it; we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!