College Graduates
Ruhama Yared, Goucher College
“I graduated from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland this past May with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a minor in Mathematics. I am the first in my family to go to college. I enjoyed being at a small liberal arts school as I had the chance to build lasting relationships with professors, staff, and classmates.
I began SisterMentors when I was twelve years old and in the 7th grade. I was brought into the program because I was in an after-school program called Project Stepout run by Ms. Myra Stafford. I’m very glad I made the decision to join SisterMentors because Dr. Lewis and the mentors have helped me get to where I am today à¢â‚¬“ a college graduate. They took me on college trips, showed me what to do to get into a good college, and they were there for me throughout my college years, whenever I needed them.
In the spirit of SisterMentors and to express my gratitude for all they have done for me, I am volunteering to teach Math to one of the SisterMentors girls in sixth grade. I tutor her twice a week and I am helping her prepare for an upcoming standardized test.
One memory about SisterMentors that I cherish happens at the end of every mentoring session; we all get together and we give each other ‘gifts,’ such as courage, hope, and love. I cherish those moments because they show how much we all care about each other and how much we all want each other to succeed.” (Fall/Winter 2013)
Kedest Firdaweke, Virginia Commonwealth University
“I graduated this past May from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a major in Mass Communications. I started SisterMentors when I was in seventh grade so that makes about ten years that I have been in the program. The college visits with SisterMentors were really important to me since my mother is a working single mother and could not afford the time or money to take me to visit colleges. The SAT prep classes were also very important since they prepared me well for the SAT Test and helped make me competitive for college admission.” (Fall/Winter 2013)
Young Women in College
Cindy Ayala, George Mason University
“I am now a senior, and I am very excited. This semester is a great one because of the interesting classes I am taking. After patiently waiting for about a year, I am finally taking 2D Animation! My other classes are: Intro to Web Design, where I learn how to design a website, and Aesthetics, where we discuss topics such as, “What is art?” And more good news, over the summer I received The Catherine Hart Scholarship from the Woman’s Club of McLean, Virginia, which I would not have received if it were not for the help of Dr. Lewis, and I am very grateful. Last semester, I made the Dean’s List again because of academic excellence and I intend to work hard to continue to make the Dean’s List.” (Fall/Winter 2013)
Margie Obeng, Pennsylvania State University
“Now that I am entering my third year of college, I am beginning to realize how much I have grown. College has given me experiences that, I believe, were made to help me become a stronger person and I’m growing into a more confident woman each day. Penn State has also allowed me to become less shy and much more outgoing. I am no longer afraid to start conversations with people I don’t know.
I am blessed and overwhelmingly grateful to be where I am today, and I look forward to continuing to work toward my degree in Education and Public Policy. I’m more than halfway there now, and I refuse to allow any force à¢â‚¬“ physical, emotional or mental à¢â‚¬“ to prevent me from reaching my goal. I’m beyond committed to having a successful junior year. I am sure this year will be my year. Without people like Dr. Lewis, and my mentor Dr. Fanta Aw, I highly doubt that I would appreciate where I am today. I hope that in the future I will impact the lives of other young girls like the women of SisterMentors have impacted mine.” (Fall/Winter 2013)
Gloria Aboagye, Old Dominion University
“I graduated from high school last June and started college this fall. SisterMentors helped me get a scholarship so I do not have to work during my first year of college and can instead focus on my studies. I am very grateful. The past few months at ODU have been great. I have met some interesting people who live in my dorm and some of them are in my classes. I am taking Sociology, Psychology, English, Science, and Math this semester.” (Fall/Winter 2013)