Snapshots

Each Building STEPS student has a story. Below are five of them. These young adults exemplify the character and drive present in all Building STEPS students, as well as the positive effects of participating in this program.

		Like many of the students profiled here, Tierra H. is the first person in her family to have earned a bachelor’s degree; this past August, she graduated from North Park University with a BA in biology, with a concentration on molecular/human biology. Prior to moving in with her aunt as an adolescent, Tierra was raised in difficult circumstances, but always focused on her schoolwork as the means to determine her own destiny. At North Park, she not only worked as an advisor at the school’s writing center, but she also started her own tutoring service specifically for other students in the biology program, in addition to serving as the president of the Black Student Association and interning at Northwestern School of Medicine’s department of radiation oncology. Having earned her BS in biology, she has returned home to Maryland, and is currently investigating options to obtain her MS in clinical research, and eventually an MD, as well. Through hard work and force of will, she is determined to succeed.
		While Mya is hardly the typical Building STEPS student, she certainly qualifies as a great success, nonetheless. Although her academic and career interests have taken a sharp turn since she applied to the program in 10th grade, she has met with considerable success and continues to challenge herself in everything she does. Currently, Mya is a sophomore and member of the Georgetown Scholars program at Georgetown University, where she is pursuing a major in English and a minor in philosophy, with the intention of attending law school after graduating in 2011. She is planning to spend next year immersing herself in the Spanish language, through Georgetown’s study abroad program in Mexico. Mya works on campus for Georgetown’s theatre department, and volunteers at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and the Washington Humane Society. She has also been kind enough to mentor a fellow Building STEPS alum, Clifford, as he has made the adjustment from high school to college this year.
		Tierra S. is pursuing an especially unconventional path as a senior at Johns Hopkins University. She attends the Writing Seminars program at JHU, in addition to taking classes in the pre-medicine program, with her sights set on eventually attending medical school. At Hopkins, she contributes her time to Circle K, a volunteer service organization, and Alpha Phi Omega, a service-oriented fraternity. Active in the larger community, she volunteers with the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Company, as well. It comes as no surprise to those who know her that she intends to serve in the Peace Corps prior to entering medical school. She is currently employed by the Lighthouse Studies at Peer Point and Johns Hopkins Pediatric Pulmonary, where she works as a research assistant.
		Deverick was a sophomore at Digital Harbor High School when he applied to Building STEPS. Deverick was already a very ambitious and successful young man; he played basketball and football, was active in the student government association, and participated in speech and debate. He suffered tragedy when a close friend died, which only strengthened his resolve to defy the odds and be successful. He is scheduled to graduate from Towson University with a double major in political science and economics in the spring of 2010. Among his many activities at Towson, he worked as a field support assistant for the Office of Technology Services, mentors high school students through the Academic Achievement Center, competes on the speech and debate team, and serves as president of the Black Student Union. After graduating from Towson, Deverick intends to work as a teacher and coach debate at the high school level.
		Kelly was unsure about applying to Building STEPS because her interest was not science or technology; she was interested in business and hoped to attend Catonsville Community College. She was president of her class, played varsity sports, and worked at a local health club. After one of the monthly seminars, Kelly voiced her interest in some of the careers highlighted. She received a full four-year scholarship to the University of Maryland College Park. She graduated in 2006 with a BS degree in finance and a 3.8 GPA. Kelly currently works at PricewaterhouseCoopers doing federal consulting for their Washington Federal Practice in DC. In addition to working, she is attending the University of Maryland University College. As a part-time graduate student, she is working towards dual master’s degrees (MBA/MS) with a concentration in health care administration.