Summer Scholars Comming to an End

The Summer Scholars Program is comming to an end and I am not ready to leave. I have learned so much and will always take what I learned in this program with me for the rest of my life.

There is a huge difference between high school and college. In high school people go dressed to impress. Everyone is conscious of everyone and wants to look their best. In high school, you get chance after chance and won't get penalized as much. In high school there is so much drama, he said she said stuff and it lasts all year. Sports events are the things to go to and if you don't go then your not considered cool. But, college is much different. People don't care about who you are or where you come from. You are just there to get a good education. College life is much more exciting. There are parties all the time, games, clubs, anything you can imagine. And if you don't make it....who cares!!! But in college, its much more strict. Classes aren't ment for sideline discussion. You either listen to the lecture or leave no questions asked. The work load is much harder but in the end I think you feel more accomplished.

My college class was Sociology. I loved this class. Its a class that teaches how society works and how we are all related to it. Most of it is common sense stuff but if you don't really sit there and think about it, you won't get it. I enjoyed my class very much because it was always interesting. Some topics we contriversal like racial inequality and it was kind of neat to see how people of other races viewed that issue. The most challenging aspect of the course was having to read everynight. It wasn't something I was prepared for since in high school I never had to read every night like that. It was an intresting read but sometimes I was tempted not to.

I would most definently reccomend this program to anyone. I learned so much. I never knew that something like this could be so helpful. One thing that impacted me quite a bit was realizing that being called a minority means I'm half a step less than someone else. I am not any less then anyone so now I have learned to call myself a mulitcultural student.

Job Shadow

For my job shadow I went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the Student Life Life Confrence Center. I, along with everyone else, actually thought I was going to job shadow a doctor or nurse or something and experience first hand a day in the life of a doctor. But we acually just sat down with a guy named Sherman and he talked to us about the University and the different types of Graduate programs avaliable. He really stressed that you have to make yourself an option and to do that you have to go out and beyond and do things that sets yourself apart from other people. I really appreciated that advice. We also talked about the cost of school and how much of debt you will be in after you graduate. But, that will all be well worth it once you start getting the checks in. Even though it was a bit dissapointing to know that I wouldn't be following a doctor around it was actually worthwhile and very important for me to do that. Now I have a better understanding of graduate school and what I'm going to do to get there.

Writing Workshop

My Achievements

When i look back over my life I realize that I have Achieved a lot but there are two in particular that are really important to me like becoming a team leader in basketball and becoming a member of HOSA.

Being in basketball as some might say is no big deal. But to me it is when you are a 5'1", and a minority senior. I am the only person of color on my team and I think that says a lot. Because my school is a prodominently white school, I feel like it's my job to stand up and be counted for. At my school right now, female sports are dominating. It is not easy to be a female athlete at my school right now. It is also not easy being 5'1". I am the shortest person on the team and it used to effect me but I have realized that I'm not getting any taller so I need to work with what I have, embrace my flaws and that is exactly what I have done. On the court people underestimate me because of my height and think that I can't do much but quickly do they find out that short people are quick, and harder to guard. For me to be a minority and be a leader on the basketball team is a big achievement for me. I worked so hard to get where I am. There have been times when I force myself to get up at 5 O'clock in the morning and get an extra work out in before I get to school just so that I'm on the same level as everyone else on my team. I always wanted to fit in with the team and make an impact and after my freshmen year, I got my chance to make things happen. Now I am a strong leader on the team. Last year I got a chance to help lead my team to the state tournament in Lincoln. To me this is very big for me because when I was in Jr. High I would come to the high school games sit with my parents and imagine when I would get my chance. I set some goals for myself and step by step I accomplished them. Now I plan on continuing to be a leader and hopefully help lead my team to state again next year to Lincoln for another state Tournement.

Being a member of HOSA is another achievement to me. HOSA stands for Health Occupations Students of America. It is not easy being in HOSA. You attend meetings, go to confrences and and you must get involved in the community. This is important to me because I feel like this has helped me with my future goals. I plan on becoming a Physician and HOSA helps me to set my goals high and provides guidlines and guidence on how to achieve them. This past week I was able to attend a National Leadership Confrence in Dallas, TX. This was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I didn't realize how good of a decsion I made on going to Dallas until I got there. It was so insightful. Now I have a foundation and I know where to start. HOSA has opened my eyes to all the health professions out there. I'm glad I'm apart of HOSA and now I know I am making the right decision about my future!

Important Issues to Me

To me the Presidential election is extremely important. I am older now and I do understand what is going on in politics. I think that it is important for me to stay informed and educated about this issue because it is something that in the long run effects my future. I personally think that the election is important to me because this is the first time that the candadates were either African American or a women. This is huge to me because this is a first. Being an African American and a female it was a plus because both candadates related to me in some way. I am really glad that Obama won though because I honestly think he could change the United States for the better. It just seems like now that things are really starting to move for minorities and Obama is the perfect person to lead!

Who Has Been an Influence???

I think one of the most influencial people in my life would have to be my mom. She is such an inspiration to me. She has taught me that you can beat any odds. My mom is kind of like my best friend. She is always there to hear my problems and gives me advice even when I don't want to hear it! My mom has made sacrifices for myself and my family. She has a drive like no other person I know. When ever I need something and I don't know where I'm getting it from, I can always count on her to come out of nowhere and provide whatever it is that I need. She is a very loving and caring individual. I think that I am like her in so many ways. She has helped me decisions that could have broken me if I didn't have her help! My mom is my inspiration!

Another influencial person in my life is my dad. He has taught me not to ever give up. He has been through so much in the past two years that has changed his life forever. He has battled cancer and survived and that is not something that everyone can put on their resume! My dad is a great leader and person. He always gives even when he doesn't have it to give. He plays the role of my father but also my friend. I love his sense of humor and laid back, down to earth personality. I have learned from him that no matter what obsticles I face, I can accomplish my goals and not to ever let anything get in my way!

Why I Want to Attend UNO

I feel that UNO is a great school. I love the atmosphere of the campus. Everyone is so nice and willing to be of help. I also like the size of the school. UNO is perfect for me because it is diverse and a great school altogether. Since I have attended UNO for the summer class I have noticed a change in myself. I feel like I am more responsible, more open to new experiences and ready to grow as a person. The teachers, students, and staff have all helped me in many different ways. I have learned from this experience that going off to college isn't necessary. I have everything that I need right here. I also have great connections here. UNO is a great university and I would be proud to attend.

Week One: A Week to Remember

The first week of Summer Scholars was extremely exciting. I met many new people, developed lifelong friendships,conquered a couple fears, and learned a lot about myself as a person. 

 

On Sunday I arrived and got settled in my room. I had no idea what I would be experiencing and after I arrived I was kind of nervous and more so scared about what people might think of me, who I would encounter, and looking stupid in front of people I didn’t know. Luckily, my friend Trevesia was in the same program so we hooked up together and that made me a little more comfortable.

 

Later on, the RAs gathered us up together and told us the game plan. We got on the bus and ate our sack lunch. It was actually pretty good! So we are on the bus riding and it seems like no one knows where we are going.  I remember hearing random voices whispering, “Um where the heck are they taking us”? It sounds weird now but I was thinking the same thing.  When we arrive these people are getting us together trying to break the ice with games but it was evident that some people had no intensions of meeting new people. We separated into groups and team “Success” went to the group challenge ropes course and team “Achieve” went to the individual challenge ropes course. I was in team Success. When I looked up at the course, I had my tough persona on and was all “yeah! This is gonna be so fun I’m so not scared”! But, once I got up 50 feet in the air I began to soften up a bit and get really scared. After I had completed a couple courses I began to really enjoy myself, my fears were going away and I learned to trust my teammates because I couldn’t do any of it without them. I also had to be tough for my team because I was actually not too scared anymore and pretty confidant while others were petrified. After the ropes course the other team came out and we were off to the Student Center. I had so much fun but I as ready to leave.

 

The rest of the week was really fun. I met a group of girls and we just clicked instantly. Together we formed a little group. We call ourselves “SBK”. We made so many inside jokes and they made my first week worthwhile. I think one person in particular who sticks out is Domonique. At first I thought she was quiet but I learned real quick that she is not afraid to speak out and speak out LOUD! I would always give her crap about it and say, “you know what, you always wait ‘til you are right next to me to be loud” or “girl you don’t have any volume control”.

 

My first class was very exciting. I took Sociology. I was kind of skeptical at first because I didn’t really want to learn about the study of social behavior. My professor was really nice and funny and on the first day, she showed us that she means business. Some random kid just got up and walked out of class and was very disturbing and our professor just stopped him in front of the class and just called him out. It was pretty funny but after that I made a mental note not to ever be on her bad side and to never leave class unless it’s over.

 

The food was great.... the first couple days. I had a salad everyday and Mr. Freeman would always tease Trevesia and me about eating salads. On the first day there was so much to choose from. There was salad bar, the grill that had a variety of food like hamburger, Philly cheese stakes, grilled chicken sandwiches and stuff like that, and then there was always side dishes, deserts, and fruit!

 

The first week helped me in so many ways. I conqured my fears of heights, made friends that I would have never made any other time, and learned what it would be like to like to live on campus. It’s actually pretty exciting.