Nevaeh Turner
Hermitage High School | Full-Ride Scholarship
College Attending: Virginia Tech
As a first-generation student, I had no help navigating the academic world. No roadmap was handed to me, no family members to share personal stories about college life, or advice about handling college expectations. Hence, being selected in my freshman year for Partnership for the Future (PFF) was the initial unlocking of my academic door. Through the PFF program, I’ve had the pleasure of gaining access to an amazing support system that pushes me academically, socially, and emotionally.
The biggest skill PFF assisted me with was my public speaking. As an introvert at heart, the first summer with PFF is a memory I will never forget. It was the first time I was pushed to speak to a large crowd– larger than the 24 students in my classroom. With my heart pounding, I had to introduce myself to 50 other people, with everyone’s eyes on me, and I felt like throwing up. But experiences like this, where I was pushed out of my comfort zone, helped me learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
If I hadn’t learned how to engage and entertain a crowd through the many workshops we did during our four years, I wouldn’t have pursued opportunities like becoming an Ambassador for Virtual NSILY, a language program funded by the U.S. Department of State, or being a team lead through an internship program, leading 5 people in an 8-month workshop initiative for people in rural Nigeria to compact yellow fever in front of experienced doctors, Although I didn’t have an internship placement through PFF I have learned how to network for myself and how to get involved deeper within a community, which is a skill I will take with me to college and beyond.
PFF has also taught me the importance of having an open mind. When I first joined in 2021, I wanted to become a doctor. My mind was set on the doctor’s track of the medical field, and no one could change my opinion. However, during our summer sessions, I learned about how broad the medical field was, gained knowledge about many different careers, and heard from amazing guest speakers. Which helped me realize I do not need to become a doctor to help our nation’s health.
Choosing a college to commit to has been the most stressful part of my senior year. When I think back on my high school experience without PFF, I wouldn’t have pushed myself to communicate with others, which allowed me to get two full rides from excellent institutions.
Deciding between 2 dream schools from different periods of my life was daunting. So, I just want to take a moment to express my gratitude to my mentor Monyette, The level 2 coordinator Mrs. Kate, level 4 Ms. Jasmine, and Mrs. Dionne for pushing me to reach for greatness, and I cannot wait to be in more spaces where I learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.