Saturday, January 31, 2015

January Is National Mentoring Month!


January is National Mentoring Month.  We love our mentors at the Elizabeth Edwards Foundation! We are extremely lucky to have such devoted, caring individuals who have a passion for positive youth development.  National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors as well as how we can work together to increase the number of of mentors to assure positive outcomes for our young people.  Here at the Elizabeth Edwards Foundation, we recognize the importance of mentors in impacting our fellows' lives.  Mentors serve as a personal support system and advocate for their fellow.  They provide key advice on academic issues, going to college, professional opportunities, and social and family life.  Together mentors and fellows develop tools and assets to be successful in high school, college, and beyond.  As one mentor puts it "I realize that many young people may lack stability and inspiration, or anyone to look up to.  Mentoring programs can serve as the connecting factor between youth who may feel lost or broken and adults who want to inspire them and build them up."  So if you have a mentor, be sure to thank them for being that inspiration in your life!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

New Year's Welcome for New Elizabeth Fellows!


Welcome New Elizabeth Fellows!

We are so excited to welcome 11 new sophomore fellows and 3 new junior fellows into the Elizabeth Edwards Foundation.  Read on to learn a little bit about each fellow’s unique skills and goals.

Tianna Alston (Sophomore)- “I see myself as a determined student.  I hope that after finishing high school, I will be able to continue on to college.  Since I was five years old, I have wanted to be a nurse.  I love the thought of being able to help people in need.”

Mohammadi Amena (Sophomore)- “I am a hardworking student.  I always look for opportunities that are valuable for my future.  I want to go to college because it will create a better future for me.  I admire Malala Yousafzai, the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban.  It makes me realize how important education is for all people.”

Carlos Bautista (Sophomore)- “As a student, I would describe myself as a curious, motivated, trustworthy, and a hardworking pupil that wishes to contribute to his school and community by doing his best.  I enjoy learning because I am very curious, and enjoy learning concepts and principles that make the world function.”

Kerri Brodie (Sophomore)- “I love learning new things in areas that interest me like science, interior design, and child development. I would like to attend NC A&T on a full scholarship majoring in Child Development and Early Education.  I learn best by working hard and learning from my mistakes”

Sophia Caron (Sophomore)- “I really hope to go to NC State and eventually become an FBI agent.  I like the idea of helping the government and protecting people around me.  The two people that I admire most are my mom and grandmother.  My mom always tells me to give one hundred percent and never give up.”

Zahra Fatima (Sophomore)- “I hope to be a doctor when I grow up, because I am really interested in biology.  I also want to be a doctor, because I like to help people.  I think this field will make me happy.”

Ahyanna Griffith (Junior)- “As a student, I am enthusiastic, out-going, and a good learner.  I love learning because knowledge can give you experience to craft the person who you want to become.  One day, I do hope to go to college and study medicine.”

Ayesha Jaleel (Junior)- “I feel if I want to be successful, it’s important to constantly be making new goals, and setting the goals higher by working hard.  This summer, I would like to volunteer at REX hospital and work with people who are suffering from cancer.”

Kadiejatu Johnson (Sophomore)- “In my future career, I want to work with computers and do graphic design.  I developed my love of learning from my dad.  I definitely hope to go to college to advance my potential for working in the real world.”

Ty’sean Judd (Sophomore)- “The idea of expanding my mind on a daily basis inspires me.  Chemistry is by far my favorite subject.  My first choice for a career is play basketball, but I also think about doing something in chemistry.”

Ketsia Liteli (Junior)- “Ever since I was little, I found myself fascinated with the jobs of doctors and nurses.  Hospitals were seen as these busy centers brimming with people who, I thought, had an unimaginable amount of knowledge.  If I was going to be somebody, it would be somebody in the medical field.”

Samantha Messie (Sophomore)- “I do my best both inside and outside of school to ensure that I understand and can apply what I have been taught.  I do all I do in school just to achieve two goals: successfully finish college and begin a profession in which I excel and enjoy myself.”

Juan Reyes Ortiz (Sophomore)-“When I grow up, I want to be a professional soccer player.  I would also like to study in the fields of mythology and history.  I love learning about mythological creatures and gods as well as ancient civilizations.”

Cristian Tompkins (Sophomore)- “Right now I’m striving to be a nurse in a pediatric ward.  My children development class has made me realize my love for small children.  Every kid deserves a good childhood and I want to give that to a sick child.”