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she arrived in the United States to con- tinue her studies. We asked her why.

Her answer, perhaps, pushes all of us to remember that we’re all capable of do- ing anything we want to accomplish, if only we put our mind to it. “I was pursu- ing the American Dream! I believe that

America is the only place in the world where anyone, regardless of where they were born can attain success through sacri? ce, risk-taking, intelligence and hard work.”

That kind of drive and work ethic, however, rarely develops in a vacuum.

Farrar’s path to success is no different and she is candid about those who guid- ed her from an early age. “I am fortunate to come from a family of exceptional individuals and especially exceptional women. My grandmother was a lawyer and also spoke several languages. My mother is a doctor and has a PhD in im- munology. Growing up, I was immense- ly in? uenced by them as they instilled a drive for excellence in everything I do.”

In that environment, anything less than full effort and results were not an option.

Always an ‘A’ student, Farrar remem- bers earning a ‘B’ in a grade school Bi- ology class, the news of which she very reluctantly had to deliver to her parents.

WISTA members

At the time, her grandfather – a profes- actively help each sor in Dentistry – quietly suggested that a ‘B’ is actually not a bad grade. “The other to achieve rest of the family just gave me ‘a look.’

Looking back, this occurrence appears this success and I quite comical, but the point is that medi- am fortunate to be ocrity was not acceptable in our family.

I try to follow this principle every day.”

Boriana Farrar, part of this won-

Helping Hands Acknowledged

American P&I Club derful initiative.

Once out on her own, Boriana received the bene? t of many mentors; so many in fact, that there isn’t space enough to mention all of them within the pages of this magazine. Judge Steven Plotkin, a Fourth Circuit State Court Judge in

Louisiana and also a Fulbright Scholar, watched over Farrar during her ? rst, dif- ? cult years in America, with what Farrar describes as “incredible care, wisdom www.maritimeprofessional.com Maritime Professional 17I I 1-17 Q2 MP2016.indd 17 5/19/2016 10:58:58 AM