My
journey began with a love for reading and discovery. As a student having spent
most of my life within rural bounds, moving to Charlotte was quite an
awakening. It has provided me with innumerable eye-opening experiences to learn
about the world in new ways. While I no longer have much time for recreational
reading, college has allowed me to learn through reality, offering endless motivation and inspiration. The past few months have been most
effective in teaching me what it means to be a Levine Scholar and to learn
through experience. The chance to grow through experience is why I chose this
scholarship, but I could never have predicted the depth and breadth of the
chances I would be given.
Early this summer, I embarked on my
first professional experience at Carolinas HealthCare Foundation, sponsored by
the Levine Scholars Program. Surrounded by an innovative management staff and
daily opportunities to increase my involvement, I was continually blown away by
the quality of the internship. The foundation gave me confidence to succeed
professionally at a time when it was much needed. I was able to save the
foundation money by teaching staff to utilize project management software, weigh
in on strategic decisions, design marketing material, and assess multiple
initiatives. I was humbled by the talent of my coworkers, but fueled by their
support of my ideas and outputs. For anyone living in the Charlotte area, I
suggest you look up some of the initiatives that Carolinas HealthCare Foundation champions and get involved. The impact of the organization is far-reaching and
very beneficial to the health and wellness of our citizens.
3 days after my time with Carolinas
HealthCare was complete, I began working as an intern with Rotary District 7680. My main task was to propose social media strategies to help diversify
membership for over 60 clubs in western-central NC. While writing a social
media manual for 3,000 Rotarians, I was also able to plan a leadership seminar
for high school students. To me, this was invigorating. The beauty of being in
college is that no matter what your talents are, there will be countless
opportunities to enhance and refine them, usually while forming valuable
community relationships simultaneously.
My most recent adventure was a two week
program at the Democratic National Convention. Through a seminar with The Washington Center, I was able to serve as a volunteer with The National Journal
and StartUp RockOn. The highlight of my week was helping to coordinate a
concert featuring The Roots. My main responsibility was to help ensure that the
companies’ parties and events ran smoothly, which was certainly an easy task to
enjoy. Perhaps the best thing that came out of being at the convention, though,
was seeing my city in its prime. Charlotte came out of its shell and impressed
the nation, and it was exhilarating to be right there in the middle of it.
While speaking to people from across the country throughout this
experience, the pride that I felt when calling myself a Charlottean is
indescribable. The seminar that I took part in was another one of the many
opportunities that I was referred to by the Levine Scholars Program.
None of these experiences cost me a
dime. Through the benevolence of Leon and Sandra Levine and through the open arms
of my community, I have been able to see, do, and experience a world of
innovation and energy. There is no place that I would rather be, and I am
reassured daily about my decision to come here. As a Levine Scholar in
Charlotte, you have the opportunity to create whatever future you want, and the
resources to make it happen.
