Celebrating Elizabeth: Brunch with Jennifer Palmieri & Cate Edwards

 

The Elizabeth Edwards Foundation is thrilled to be hosting its first fundraiser. Please join us on Sunday, June 24 at Royale in Raleigh for brunch and conversation with Elizabeth's close friend Jennifer Palmieri, former White House Communications Director and author of "Dear Madame President," and Elizabeth's daughter Cate. In addition to hearing from Jennifer and Cate, former Elizabeth Fellow, Duke University student Samantha Messie, and her mentor, Paula Malzone, will share how the Elizabeth Fellows program made a difference in their lives. Visit our Eventbrite page to purchase tickets and support the work of the Elizabeth Edwards Foundation!

Ticket options are as follows:

Brunch ($75) Time to mingle with guests, including Jennifer and Cate, plus brunch, coffee, mimosa, and a signature cocktail at Royale.

VIP ($125) Join us at 10AM for pre-brunch beignets and coffee with Jennifer and Cate and then join all other attendees for the full brunch program. 

Sponsor ($250) In addition to VIP beignets and brunch, you'll be listed as a sponsor and receive a signed copy of "Dear Madame President."

Elizabeth really lived life--she really thought about every choice that she made in her life--what she had learned and how she could pass it on to somebody else.

- Jennifer Palmieri

Can't make the event? Visit our donation page and support the Foundation's work: 

http://www.elizabethedwards.org/donate.php 

   

February Fellows Spotlight- Sheeza!

Sheeza Shamoon, a sophomore fellow, recently attended the Triangle Youth Leadership Conference.  Read on to learn about her wonderful experience there!   

What was your favorite part about the Leadership Conference?

I made new friends who were from all different parts of North Carolina.  I also loved this workshop where we got to design an app and present it to the group.  Our app focused on helping high school students to find mentors online to get help with college preparation.  Basically do what counselors would normally do but the mentors would have more time to help us.  We also added a feature for different languages which was important for us to include.

What did you learn from the Leadership Conference?

I learned to feel more confident about myself and my opinions.  You shouldn't be afraid of saying how you feel about a particular thing.  If people don't agree with you, you need to explain your view to others.  I also learned that it is important to keep up with current events and what is happening around us.

Have you applied anything you learned from the Leadership Conference to your life since attending?

I have shared what I learned there with my friends.  I also told them that they need to make sure to take advantage of opportunities like this conference.  It helps me learn and grow as a person and be more ready for the real world.

New Year's Fellows Spotlight!

Name: Makayla Evans-Coleman 

My favorite thing about school is that you have a voice, you can choose the classes you want take and the clubs you want join or even start. My interest outside of school is learning about animals for example, how they live,what they eat and how they communicate certain emotions. Advice I would give to a younger high school student is a social life isn't important if the people you socialize with do not help you or impact you in a positive way. The most rewarding part about being in this program is being able to educate myself on what's out there in life for me study or be apart of and bettering myself for college. My eventual college and career goals is to go to NC State, go to vet school and become a successful veterinarian. Also, I hope I am going to travel to other countries to help sick or hurt wild animals. Something about me you wouldn't know about me Is that I'm very crafty I can sew, draw and etc. Also, I wanted to be a artist or fashion designer when I was in elementary school. 

November Fellows Spotlight!

Name: Jamila McKinnon

Grade: Junior 

What is your favorite thing about school?

Getting to see all of my friends everyday and having the opportunity to learn new things everyday. 

What are your interests outside of school?

I love dancing and crafting.

What advice do you have for younger high school students?

"Don't give up! Even though things might seem hard in school at the time or your grades aren't looking how you want, just hold in there and try harder. Don't give up or try to find short cuts out of you situation. Instead stay put and and find ways to make the best out of your situation."

What is the most rewarding part about being a part of this program?

I get support from my mentor and learn new information in the meetings. 

What are your eventual college and career goals? 

After i graduate from a 4 year college, I plan on going to Medical school to study to become an OB Gyn 

Tell us something about yourself we wouldn’t know or guess. 

I like learning about the human anatomy

Fellows October Spotlight!

Name: Carlos Bautista

Grade: Senior 

What is your favorite thing about school?

My favorite thing about school is the people I meet because the diversity of different groups in cultures in one space makes it really interesting to see who you'll meet every day.

What are your interests outside of school?

Outside of school I love boxing, welding, smithing, and fixing up old cars.

What advice do you have for younger high school students?

My advice would be to not slack at anything, and to learn how to effectively manage your time early on.

What is the most rewarding part about being a part of this program?

The most rewarding part of this program is the difference I get to make in my community, and the close bond I get to share with others in the fellowship.

What are your eventual college and career goals?

My college goals are to at least be in the top 20% of my class, and to double major in Mechanical and Constructional Engineering.  My career goals are simply to have my own business and to manage it successfully.

Tell us something about yourself we wouldn’t know or guess. 

I'm an avid fan of Turtles in general, and think they're the coolest animal out there. 

Fellow's February Spotlight, Sophomore Genessis Henriquez

                                  Sophomore fellow Genessis and her mentor, Jana

Name: Genessis Henriquez

Year: Sophomore 

What is your favorite school subject? English 2 

What are your hobbies? Playing guitar and singing at church. I am also learning the piano.

What is your.desired career?  Veterinarian

Where do you want to attend school?  I want to go to NC State

What do you like best about being in the EEF program?  I like how it helps me to think ahead and be prepared for college and to make sure I get good grades. It helps me with advice about studying and organizing and also provides ways to do hours for community service.

What do you like best about having a mentor?  I like how she encourages me to keep on trying my best with my education. She makes sure I'm on task and helps me think about what I have to do to improve in my classes.  I also like to hear about her experiences in high school. 

Fellow's Spotlight, Junior Samantha Messie!

Check out our Fellow's spotlight of the month, Junior Samantha Messie! 

Favorite School Subjects: My favorite subjects are Math and TOK

Hobby/Extra-Curricular Activities: I do photography, knit, and binge watch Netflix  

Desired Career: I would like to do something in medicine maybe dentistry or anesthesiology, but that is not set in stone.

Where do you want to attend college? I want to go up north somewhere. Some of my DREAM schools are NYU, Georgetown, and Columbia. If I stay here then UNC Chapel Hill.

What do you like best about being in the Elizabeth Edwards Fellow Program? I like getting extra information about things to do to prepare for college. I also like the cool opportunities that we get like summer and enrichment programs. 

What do you like best about having a mentor?  My mentor is AMAZING. She's an adult that I feel comfortable talking to about problems and she's very connected. She knows people who know people who know people and she's willing to help me meet them. She encourages me and just listens when I need to talk.