As the first student in her family to go to college, Tamarina Barlow, a senior from California majoring in communications, has managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA. Her husband described her as a humble yet fierce, individual and student.
Barlow said she feels the pressure of being a first-generation college student. “You have so many people looking up to you, but that’s where most of my motivation comes from. I want to make the absolute most of my family’s sacrifices.”
Both of her parents were born and raised in Samoa. They came to the United States to find additional opportunities for their family, Barlow explained. She said her parents love seeing her and her siblings take advantage of education.
She decided to pursue communications while in her sophomore year after her first communications class because she enjoys the ability to analyze media critically. She said she has learned all media and ads have a subconscious effect on us.
“[My husband] Beau could probably tell you how often I complain about commercials, not because they interrupt our show, but because of the underlying messages I get from them.” Barlow said she hopes her journey through a university education will inspire her community back home, family and her future children to take advantage of every opportunity possible.
Going the extra mile
Barlow works as a Human Resources student assistant at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Her manager, Poutai Matalolo, said, “Tamarina is a truly exemplary employee. I am proud of her and the great work she gives to this great place.”
Matalolo described Barlow as a leader. “Leadership is a characteristic that not too many people have, but [Tamarina] possesses it in a quiet and humble manner. She [is] a leader without having to be brute or loud about it.”
To show an example of Barlow’s leadership, Matalolo shared, during the Winter 2020 IWORK PCC job fair, there was a student who was having a difficult time finding a job. After several weeks of not being able to find a job, the student came to the PCC Human Resource Office discouraged and frustrated.
“We usually have the students go online and apply on their own. But [Barlow] could tell she was quite frustrated and scared because this was financially stressful for her as a new student.”
Matalolo said he admired how Barlow “personally took her to the side, sat down with her and helped her on one of the computers.”
Barlow went through each job with the student and trained her to go into an interview confidently, explained Matalolo.
“She didn’t only help [the student] find a job but also encouraged her to be brave,” he said.
Admiration from loved ones
Her husband, Beau Barlow, a senior from California majoring in anthropology, shared what inspires him the most about his wife, “She’s one of the most hard-working people I know. She is super self-motivated. When she finds what she’s passionate about, she puts her all into it.”
The two met at a YSA multi-stake dance in a very brief encounter, but then ran into each other again a few weeks later at a “break the fast,” he said. “I struck up a conversation at her table while putting chairs away, and I got her number. We began dating after that.
“She is a lot more fierce than she gives herself credit for, and she is always willing to try new things.”
Beau Barlow said he is always impressed when other students from her major share with him how smart and well-spoken his wife is. “They are always [telling] me how good of a student she is.”
Tamarina Barlow had the opportunity to represent the communications major at Asia- Pacific Career Conference, and her husband said he is proud of her accomplishments.
Kaylani Quiocho, Tamarina Barlow’s cousin from California, described her as a determined person. “Once [Tamarina] puts her mind to something, she will make sure to get it done.
“Whether it’s something big or small. She is consistent in getting things done … Although she is younger than I am, I’ve always looked up to her.”
She said her cousin leads by example and believes Tamarina Barlow will thrive after graduation and become successful in whatever she decides to do.
Tamarina Barlow said she loves school, and being a student. She shared BYUH has been the perfect place for her to develop a stronger connection with her culture, the spirit and herself.
“I feel like everyone has their ‘thing,’ whether it be sports, cooking, etc. My ‘thing’ just happens to be school. My husband is also the most goal-oriented person I know, and he’s been an awesome help and example to me.”
Tamarina Barlow said she wants students to know it is okay to take a break and decompress. “Life is exhausting, and it’s okay to admit that. I have a 4.0 GPA, and I am an avid napper. Ask my husband. I always say there’s no point in studying when you’re too tired to retain anything.”
She hopes to jump right into the workforce to take a break from school and spend time with her family post-graduation. She then wants to enter grad school to further her education. She said, “Overall, I just hope to use my education to build God’s kingdom wherever and however I can.”
