Starneshia Summers, a recent graduate from Rauner College Prep, can’t wait to venture off to college. This fall, she’ll be attending Emory University on a Questbridge scholarship. We sat down with Starneshia to hear about her college plans and her experience at Rauner.
Q: How did you decide on attending Emory?
A: Originally, I was dead set on Syracuse University after going there for a Summer Of A Lifetime program (and it was an eye-opening experience about what college could be!). But, after a summer of research, I landed on Emory. I was really excited about their family-like community, their diverse student body, and the opportunities they have to meet new people and study in new facilities. Picking Emory was an easy decision.
Q: What are you going to study? Why?
A: Nursing or healthcare. Selecting my major was just as easy as picking Emory. I know I want to help others, and I have always loved watching Chicago Med and First 48, so majoring in nursing or healthcare just made sense to me.
Q: How has your experience at Rauner helped you prepare for college?
A: While at Rauner, I have had the opportunity to take a health education class through dual enrollment, explore mathematics (which I love!), and take tons of college-level courses—all of this has definitely helped me get ready for college. I’m even thinking about exploring pathways to double major in nursing/health and mathematics or maybe just get a minor in math.
Q: Is there anyone at Rauner that you want to thank?
A: I am really thankful for my advisors, Ms. Ortiz & Ms. Gonzalez, who helped me stay on track, even when I almost dropped out and gave up on myself last year. Even though I was still doing well academically, I was struggling to find balance and I was going through a lot personally.
I am also thankful to staff like Mr. Anderson and Ms. Hanus and to my best friends, who were very supportive during some of my challenging moments. My teachers and friends pushed me and did not let me give up on myself. I also learned from them to be vulnerable and to not let stuff in the past affect you. We have to live our lives in the present and can’t let our past live our lives for us.
Q: Is there anything you will miss at Rauner?
A: While I am excited about leaving Chicago and having an opportunity to find time for myself and start fresh, I’m going to miss Wildcat pride—which means respect and taking pride in what we use and what is ours. I was a manager for the football, basketball, and track teams, and I will miss that. When I come back from Emory for breaks, I’ll reach out and support them at games (as I should) because of that Wildcat pride.
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