Where are you attending college, and what are you majoring in?

I’m in my third year at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. I am majoring in public health studies and hope to graduate early and then attend medical school.

Do you feel that Woodward prepared you well for college? In what ways?

Woodward prepared me quite well for college. At Hopkins, I have been able to dive into advanced courses in subjects such as science and Spanish, and, because of the preparation I received at Woodward, I have not felt overwhelmed. Because Woodward was quite far from my home, I picked up time management skills that have been very useful at Hopkins. More specifically, I feel that Woodward's science laboratory experiments and writing classes are excellent preparation for college. I find that the English Department's focus on writing has paid off immensely for me at Hopkins. Additionally, Woodward has excellent laboratory facilities, and the Independent Scientific Research program allowed me to get a taste of research in high school, which has given me an advantage over my peers in doing research at the collegiate level and in completing college laboratory courses.

The service hours requirement really inculcated in me a desire to give back to the community. I had the opportunity through Woodward to volunteer at an after-school program at S.L. Lewis Elementary School and to work with children at the local Boys & Girls Club. At Hopkins, I’ve been teaching violin to inner-city school children through a music volunteering program, and I volunteer at a local hospital. Additionally, my participation on the academic team furthered my interest in current events and politics, and I have acted on that interest in college by interning for a U.S. Congressman and serving as editor-in-chief of a Johns Hopkins-wide weekly political opinions publication.

Are there any special memories from your Woodward experience that you would like to share?

I will always remember my first day in pre-kindergarten at Woodward North, having tears in my eyes and telling the teacher, Mrs. Maxwell, that I was feeling ill and wanted to go home. I also remember that day meeting the principal, Mr. Vincent, and students who would become my lifelong friends. Many teachers were very influential for me, from Mrs. Adolph in third grade to Mr. Dietz in eighth grade and Mr. Floyd in high school.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to graduate early and then attend medical school. I hope to have a long and fulfilling career in medicine and health policy.

“Woodward prepared me quite well for college. At Hopkins, I have been able to dive into advanced courses in subjects such as science and Spanish, and, because of the preparation I received at Woodward, I have not felt overwhelmed.”