HSU student by day, Abilene family restaurateur by night: Meri Tetaj graduates with honors & full plate

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – College can be plenty stressful for any college student. Managing tasks like classes, extracurricular activities, homework, exams, sports, and even jobs is a packed schedule for anybody. For 22-year-old Meri Tetaj, her family’s business has always been like a second home.

Luigi’s Little Italy in Abilene was founded by Meri Tetaj’s parents Luigi and Albana Tetaj after immigrating to Abilene from Albania. However, after her mother passed away more than a decade ago, Meri stepped in to help raise her two younger siblings help her dad run the restaurant.

“I grew up there, so when people say, ‘how long have you been working there?’ I feel like since I learned to walk, I’ve been here,” Tetaj told KTAB/KRBC. “She (her mother) passed a long time ago and I had to just step it up ever since then. So, I grew up pretty young.”

Tetaj is a longtime Abilenian and is a product of Abilene ISD. Attending college at Hardin Simmons University (HSU), she majors in Communication Sciences & Disorders . There, she spends 15-18 hours in classes each week.

“It’s been really hard to do that and still do 25 to 30 hours at work. People are like, ‘when do you sleep?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t know.’ Working took a lot away of the college life for me, and I didn’t get to do a lot of the fun activities; tailgates on Saturdays. I didn’t get to enjoy all that just because I had to work really hard, and it’s hard to take time off. It’s hard to take time off because I have to make time for them (Little Italy), and just my family in general,” stressed Tetaj.

Although college was difficult, Tetaj said she’s ready for her next chapter and giving back to her community along the way.

“So, I got a job offer for AISD; some type of early childhood or elementary. I’ll see where it goes from that. I’ve been to these schools before, so I feel really prepared and I was super excited when they gave me a call back,” Tetaj shared.

Thankful of her professors and peers for their support which led her to power through the obstacles of life, Tetaj said she hopes to inspire students in similar situations by reminding them no matter what life throws your way, everything is going to be okay and manageable.

“Manage your time well and plan ahea,” advised Tetaj. “It’s very doable. You will be able to do it. Take a break, please, take a weekend.”

Tetaj’s family is reportedly very proud and supportive of her academic success. She may be saying goodbye to the restaurant, but it’s not a goodbye forever.

“I have a minor in business. I did want to keep a little bit just as a backup plan,” Tetaj added.

Thankful to her family, the employees at Luigi’s Little Italy, and her professor Becky Saterbak for their mentorship, Tetaj will graduate with honors from HSU on Friday, May 10.

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