Polina Yemelyanova was born in 1982 in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha, which is in Siberia, a region of Russia. Her father, a journalist for 25 years, now is a chief editor of the local weekly paper. Her mother stayed home and raised four children; now she is the director of the School of Public Politics. Immediately after her high school graduation in Russia, Polina came to the US under the auspices of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. After a year in an American high school she received a full scholarship to the community college in Roseburg, OR. She studied there for two years, and then transferred to ASU. “My first year here I was sponsored by the Georgia Rotary Student Program, and last year I received some scholarships on my own. I majored in Television and Cinema and participated in several filming projects, but my most ambitious was “A Place to Call Home,” a film about American families who adopt Russian orphans. I spent four months writing, shooting, editing, producing... doing everything. I wanted to make a film about something close to home and something that touched my heart. I don't have words to describe the families that took part in my movie. They have given and continue to give their lives to the Russian orphans, give them not only a home, but a second chance to live. I never cease to be amazed at their love and devotion.” Polina graduated from ASU in May 2004 and currently works at WAGT Channel 26 where she produces the 10 pm news.