As she reflects on the all the opportunities
within her life over the past ten years, SHARIFA CHARLES
is glad she was able to be a participant in the St. Olaf TRiO programs.
Sharifa first became involved with the TRiO Educational Talent Search
(ETS) program at Northeast
Middle School in Minneapolis, MN. Sharifa had just moved from
the Island of St. Lucia in 1997 when her mother enrolled her at
the school. Upon arriving at Northeast, her counselor immediately
put her in the Pre-IB program, where Sharifa was first exposed to
ETS and the college-preparatory curriculum. Sharifa continued her
involvement in the program throughout her high school career at
North Community High School
in Minneapolis, MN.
Sharifa remembers the wonderful experiences that allowed her to
learn and excel academically and personally, "My favorite parts
about the program were the opportunities to focus on your future
academic goals and dreams. The meeting times allowed my peers and
I to exchange ideas and motivate each other. I also participated
in the Minnesota Institute for Talented
Youth (MITY) at Macalester College for 5 summers. That great
program prepared me for a college career and life long friends and
mentors," said Charles.
Sharifa is thankful for the help and support that ETS advisors have
given her over the years, Sharifa states, "I remember vividly
meeting with Dan and Tim often during high school. They helped me
through casual conversations and exposed me to many resources."
Through the workshops and summer programs, Sharifa became more knowledgeable
of what it took to get to and remain in college. "I knew how
to apply, where to apply and what to anticipate when I got there,"
quotes Sharifa. During high school, Sharifa participated in a variety
of extracurricular activities, including her roles as secretary
for the National Honor Society, peer mediator and a member of the
North High soccer team. Sharifa also had the opportunity to travel
to Washington D.C. during her sophomore year and meet the late Senator
Paul Wellstone and Senator John Kerry.
Currently a senior at the University
of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, Sharifa is continuing to apply
her past lessons to help her succeed in school. Sharifa admits that
remaining motivated is a big challenge, and the routine sometimes
can be tiring on the spirit and body, but she is committed to accomplishing
her goals. "I am an involved and passionate student. I have
become a part of the University of St Thomas Community in various
ways through student groups and on campus jobs. Those experiences
have allowed me to feel included and heard in the school as well
as allowed me to meet great young people." As a student at
St. Thomas, Sharifa has created her own individualized major entitled,
Adolescent Sexual Health Care, and she is an American Cultural Studies
minor, with an emphasis in African American Studies. When asked
about her plans after graduating, Charles explains, "I hope
to explore the world through my future career. I dream of acquiring
a job, that would allow me, to further the existing plight of educating
young people about sexual health. I want to live between the United
States, Africa and the Caribbean. At the end of the day I hope to,
in whatever capacity, innovate successful AIDS/STD and teen pregnancy
prevention programs for young people." Look out world here
comes Sharifa Charles.
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