My name is Maria Kamenetskaya, but my friends know me by my Russian name, Masha. I was born in a city in Russia called Rostov. At the age of six, my parents and I moved to Brooklyn, where I learned English and adjusted to an American way of life. Then in the third grade, I moved yet again, this time to Staten Island, my current place of residence. Even though I spent most my life here, I still consider myself a part of the Russian community and am fluent in Russian. Right now I am attending Baruch College and majoring in economics and actuary science. I love going to school in New York City and can never imagine living anywhere else. I came up with the idea of researching Brighton Beach by combining the two things I am most passionate about, my love for New York City and my pride for my Russian heritage.