While visiting her grandparents, Victoria sat at a tv watching the news with her grandfather. A reporter is giving the morning news breakdown as Victoria turns to Eugene and proclaims, “That’ll be me someday!”

 

On September 5th, 2021, Adeline Rose Krizek passed away. Eugene would pass away too on October 5th, just one month later.

 

Upon the passing of Eugene and Adeline Krizek, Victoria reflects on her time spent with her grandparents. “They meant a lot to me,” said Victoria while holding back tears. “They were the only ones [grandparents] that I bonded with and still had a connection with.”

 

Victoria attributes her pursuit as a journalist to both her grandparents as it was easy for them to recognize her talent as a photographer. After discovering a newspaper that talked about photojournalism, Adeline and Eugene suggested the thought of becoming a photojournalist to Victoria.

 

However, the bond she formed with her grandparent extends beyond her career choices. She believes she inherited her grandfather's aspirations for helping people by spending lots of time with Eugene at his charity. “My grandfather started a charity back in the 80’s or 90’s, so he has helped thousands of people across the world,” said Victoria. “From my grandma, I got her kind, gentle soul. She was just such a cutie pie.”

 

Eugene was a founding member of Christian Relief Services as well as a politician who knew John F. Kennedy.  Adeline also held her own belt of accomplishments like being honored as lady of Fairfax due to her outstanding volunteer efforts. 

 

Victoria acknowledged the diversity of her grandparents not only as caring and loving people, but as people who constantly strived to make the world a better place. “There were people from all kinds of backgrounds who spoke to honor them during their funerals,” said Victoria. “Their passing taught me that there’s so many things I can do too.”

 

Although Victoria acknowledged the importance of a diverse lifestyle, she didn’t think twice about continuing down the path of being a journalist. “If anything, it made me want to do journalism more because it was the last thing they knew I would do,” said Victoria. “I'll do journalism and then I’ll do whatever else I want to do because they’ll be happy.”