I am proud to be an alumna of the METCO program in Lexington and the recipient of four scholarships throughout my college career. In May of 2022, I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A. in Communication and minor in French and Francophone studies. I began learning French at Clarke Middle School, and I stuck with it for the next decade! 

Throughout my college career I was a peer mentor, joined the Debate Society, completed two independent studies, wrote a familial educational history paper, became a Residential Assistant, served in the AmeriCorps, and much more. I’m so grateful for the people who have invested their time and energy in my future. My most important takeaway is that I not only use my advantages to propel myself upward, but also lift as I climb.  Currently, I work for Turner Construction while pursuing a real estate license. However, at some point in the future I still wish to live and work abroad so that I can maintain French fluency. 

Finally, I would like to give my sincere thanks to the black activist pioneer, Jean McGuire as the first black woman on the Boston School Committee and the METCO Founder. Thank you for your dedication, my prayers are with you, and I hope you continue to shine. 

The scholarship award helped to make my ambition to pursue a college degree a reality. While interviewing for the scholarship, I discussed a career path in Criminal Justice, leading to a position as a police officer, while I also considered going into Education to become a therapist for students with learning disabilities. Because I wasn’t sure, I did not declare a major during my first year of college, and I took courses relevant to Criminal Justice and Education. When the year started, I also took a course that required me to work at the Curry College Radio station. From the moment I stepped into the station, I felt like I was home. I was enchanted working in radio, and by the end of my first year, I knew that I really wanted to pursue a career in radio or possibly television. With that being said, I declared myself a Communication major, with a Concentration in Radio.

During my time at Curry College, I made the Dean’s list during six of my semesters, taking my courses seriously. I wasn’t able to be a part of any clubs in college due to my time conflicting schedule with my job. But with the limited free time I did have, I helped out at WMLN, the

Curry College radio station. I was a part of the Sports Department for all four years, commentating on sports games, doing weekly live sport reads on-air, and carrying out host/guest appearances on weekly sport shows. At the end of my junior year, I was named the Sports Director for the department, taking full responsibility for organizing the sports shows. During my senior year, I helped change the culture of the department, receiving praise from my students and colleagues. With the help of my advisor Professor Ken Carberry, who was also the boss of WMLN, I was able to get a job during my senior year working for WBZ News Radio, which I am currently working at now. I am incredibly grateful to the MCSFL for supporting me throughout my journey, and I am proud of how far I have gone.

Applying for the scholarship award helped to organize my academic program, and to assume more responsibility in overcoming the financial burdens of attending college.  By helping to take the financial burden off my hands, I could focus more on studies and make work connections in the engineering field.  The Fund also provided a sense of community with my peers who also face the same college struggles that I was having. 

Currently I am working as a product engineer at a global leading power conversions systems manufacturer called Synqor.  The social skills that I developed in my time at LHS and UMass Lowell is helping me build my own personal social brand within the company. Currently, many students of color have challenges not just in the classroom.  My message to you is that you’ve already persevered this far, and you’re close to the goal.  In college your challenges will increase, but the payoff is even greater.