Greensboro elder law attorney and plans to spend the thousands of dollars she won this month from Ellen DeGeneres to help with her November 2020 wedding.

No one back home believed she had won the money until the contest aired a day later. Hossfeld’s phone has been “blowing up” almost ever since.

On television, it looks like Hossfeld walked away from a February 12 taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” with $10,000 in bundled cash.

In reality, producers had pulled her aside after the show to fill out tax forms for the IRS. Hossfeld will receive a check for north of $7,000 after Uncle Sam receives his cut.

Yet it’s all a blur for Hossfeld. The screaming and cheering from the audience, her future sisters-in-law and close family friend “going nuts.” Hossfeld’s own celebratory dancing. The hug from Ellen. In her words: “I spaced out with excitement.”

That’s what happens when you correctly answer five questions in less than 60 seconds for “Ellen’s Split Second” (answers at the bottom of this page):

• Mary Connelly or Andy Lassiter: “Whose rash do I mention on the show?”
• Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise: Who collects vintage typewriters?
• India or Italy: Which country is shaped like a boot?
• Nike or Adidas: Which slogan is “Just Do It”?
• Kim or Khloe: Which Kardashian is taller?

Hossfeld’s selection to play wasn’t completely random. Producers screened for possible contestants as audience members stood in line to enter the studio. “Pretend that Ellen calls your name for something,” they asked. “How would you act?”

The trip was made possible when Hossfeld’s close family friend won tickets to a taping and asked if Hossfeld and her future sisters-in-law wanted to be a part of a “girls’ trip” to Los Angeles.

It helped that Hossfeld had the encouragement of colleagues to head west on a moment’s notice for a rare treat. The attorneys and staff at The Elderlaw Firm in Greensboro, where Hossfeld assists clients with estate and long-term care planning, would soon cheer her appearance on TV during a weekly meeting.

Ultimately, simply meeting Ellen was a dream come true for a young attorney who had watched “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” since its first days in the early 2000s and is a walking encyclopedia of pop culture knowledge. Hossfeld has always loved the good people highlighted on the show alongside the funny and quirky happenings in our world.

And of course the dancing.

So what does Hossfeld want everyone to know about her experience?

“Everything you see on TV, with Ellen being a genuinely nice person, is true,” Hossfeld remembers. “She stayed after the taping and talked with the audience. She thanked us for coming because she knew that we were taking time out of our day and that many of us had traveled far to see the show.

“She actually is as nice as she seems.”

###

Answers: Mary Connelly, Tom Hanks*, Italy, Nike, Khloe Kardashian. 

* Hossfeld notes this was the only answer that she guessed.

• Don’t view clients as “tokens”
• Attempt to learn basic Spanish, but conduct interviews in English and use an interpreter
• Be patient with clients whose culture may not prioritize immediate action to solve a problem
• Always ask uncomfortable questions like citizenship status – it will help you understand the ramifications of your advice

And don’t hesitate to ask someone how to pronounce his or her name.

“You don’t want to tarnish a relationship before it begins,” said Sharon Dunmore L’May’17 of . “If you’re not comfortable or don’t know how to pronounce someone’s name, ask them! No one is going to be offended by that. I speak Spanish and I don’t know how to pronounce some of the names I encounter!”

Dunmore was joined by Pahola Burgos Chala L’Dec.’17 of , and Gheisha-Ly Rosario Diaz L’Dec.’17 of the , in a Sept. 23 panel conversation hosted by ������Ƶ Law’s Hispanic & Latinx Law Students Association and the Women’s Law Association as a kickoff event to a series of programs celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

With dozens of ������Ƶ Law students in attendance, the three attorneys shared stories of navigating law school and overcoming “impostor syndrome” as first-generation law students, plus advice for attorneys of all backgrounds assisting the Hispanic community.

Many suggestions applied not only to Hispanic clients. “When you’re working with victims, bedside manner is something we are not taught in law school,” said Rosario Diaz. “I’ve seen attorneys talk to some of our clients, and they’re asking questions without regard to what that person has to go through or search for (in their answers).”

And remember that sometimes the best help attorneys can provide is simply being present for a client and his or her family.

“I understand the fear that (some families) live through every single day,” said Burgos Chala, whose parents immigrated to the United States and were scammed by a notary public who drained the family’s finances with the promise at helping with their legal status. “For me, to listen to them, and to bring them some kind of comfort, that’s what makes it rewarding.”

Organizers praised the panelists for the important work they do in the community and for giving back to their law school alma mater by taking part in programs like Monday’s discussion.

“I hope students left the women’s panel with a deeper understanding of what is means to be a Hispanic/Latinx attorney,” said Cynthia Hernandez L’20, president of HLLSA. “Our panelists gave students practical advice for how to interact with Hispanic/Latinx clients, and they created an inclusive environment where every person in the room walked away having learned something new. We are very grateful to have had this opportunity.”

The Triad Alumni Chapter will host a morning college coffee in Kernersville to celebrate!

Tuesday, March 7, 9:30 a.m.
Fitz on Main
109 N Main St,
Kernersville, NC 27284

Please contact Jennifer Boozer, assistant director of regional alumni engagement, at (336) 278-7443 or jboozer@elon.edu with any questions. To learn more about #������ƵDay, visit .

.

Join your fellow ������Ƶ fans and friends at noon to kick off the SoCon Tournament with a pre-game social at the Lexington Avenue Brewery. With food, fun and, most importantly, ������Ƶ spirit – you don’t want to miss this pre-game rally before the ������Ƶ men’s and women’s first games in the SoCon Tournament on Saturday, March 8:

• ������Ƶ vs. Appalachian State women’s basketball game starts at 2:15 p.m. in Kimmel Arena (227 Campus Drive, Asheville, N.C. 28804)
• ������Ƶ vs. Western Carolina men’s basketball game starts at 2:30 p.m. in the U.S. Cellular Center (87 Haywood St. Asheville, N.C.)

Details for other pre-game gatherings will be released as tournament outcomes are determined. Be on the lookout for update emails about time and location.

To purchase tickets, contact the ������Ƶ Ticket Office at (336) 278-6750 (336) 278-6750. There is no limit to the number of tickets you may order.

For more information, Brackets for the and the provide more information on game times, media coverage and game locations.

3152 Walden Lane
Burlington, NC 27215

Join us for this awesome event at this local wine and cheese shop. For $5, you will get a wine tasting. We encourage you to stick around, purchase wine, beer and snacks and hang out with your fellow alumni.

An Evening for ������Ƶ
with President Leo M. Lambert

Thursday, Oct. 24
6:30 p.m. Reception
7:30 p.m. ������Ƶ Update with President Lambert

������Ƶ School of Law
201 North Greene Street
Greensboro, N.C.
336.279.9200

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres; cash bar

Please RSVP to alumni@elon.edu by Oct. 15. For inquiries, call 877.784.3566. 

The Alumni Association is hosting a Spring Family Visit Day that promises to entertain the entire family.

Take a tour of the campus, meet the members of the dance team, play games at the Tailgate Extravaganza and cheer on the Phoenix baseball team as they take on the Samford Bulldogs.

. The deadline is May 3.

Activities start at 1 p.m. in the Moseley Center front lawn. An optional workshop on college planning starts at 11:30 a.m.

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The Office of Alumni Engagement is relaunching our Triad Alumni Chapters and we want your input! As the chapters begin planning for their kick-offs early next calendar year, they will be hosting interest meetings in your area next week.

Live in Greensboro and don’t want to drive to Winston-Salem?

Have a young family and want to attend family-friendly events?

Want to play on an intramural team with other alumni?

We want to know!

Come out to one of the following meetings to learn more and share your ideas!

Greensboro
Monday, December 3
7 – 8 p.m.
Village Tavern
1903 Westridge Road, Greensboro, NC

Burlington
Tuesday, December 4
7 – 8 p.m.
Piedmont Ale House
St. Marks Church Road, Burlington, NC

Winston-Salem
Wednesday, December 5
7 – 8 p.m.
Tate’s Craft Cocktails
279 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC

Please RSVP to Amanda Robinson, Coordinator of Regional Alumni Engagement, at arobinson16@elon.edu or 336.278.7423. Refreshments and snacks will be served.

We look forward to seeing you there!