 Power 106 is proud to announce LaShira Adams of Highland High School as this month's recipient of the Bridge Scholar! The Bridge Scholar program uses positive peer pressure and incentives (also known as the POWER 106 prize pack!) to reward students who bridge the achievement gap. The Office of African American Affairs, Dr. Harold Bailey along with APS Multicultural Coordinator, Joyceln Jackson are teaming up to identify one positive peer model a month and POWER 106 is doing its part to help! Congratulations again to LaShira, this month's Bridge Scholarship recipient, courtesy of APS Multicultural Coordination, the Office of African American Affairs and the 505's home for Today & Back in the Day, the new Power 106!
LaShira's Personal Statement:
“Stay here sweetie, I’ll be right back,” my mother said as she hurried out into the night. I waited and waited. Hours passed, and my mother still did not return. I stood up on the uneven ground of the abandoned crack house, my tired body swaying back and forth, the winds capturing my breath, and freezing the tears that fell down my face. I didn’t know as I walked out of the house that night that I was beginning my journey. At seven years old, I went from being raised by my mother to raising myself.
I went back to the home I had been sharing with my mother, a deserted apartment in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and from that moment my life began to transform. Dealing with situations as they came, I began to live a life of self-discipline and adult responsibility.
For several months, I was entirely alone. Night by night, shelves grew bare as I ate the last cans of fruit cocktail, peas, and corn vanished. I began to stock up on food from school; instead of eating school lunch, I ate school dinner. The faucets that ran cold soon became dry, and with that I was forced into taking showers at a friend’s house. At first I thought the lack of electricity was the least of my problems; living by candlelight was initially okay. However, the ability to do homework efficiently became a major issue. That is when I began to take advantage of the afterschool library.
Being an Honor Roll student at Rosewood Elementary remained to be my main goal; no matter the circumstances. School meant everything to me, because I knew that it would be education that brought me success. People always said, “Knowledge is power,” so I kept seeking it.
I remember the day I was called out of class to answer a phone call in the school office. It was my grandmother: “Baby, how are you doing, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you?” I told her the truth, and all that I been facing. So she called upon my uncle Terrance to retrieve me from South Carolina and bring me to her in Albuquerque. I packed what few belongings I could call mine, said goodbye to all my teachers and friends.
When I got to my grandmother’s I was loved and no longer alone. But the situation we faced was somewhat better. We lived on my grandmother’s paychecks and when money ran out so did food, water, and electricity. Sometimes we were forced to eat and spend the night in shelters. But I had faced worse and I knew how to succeed in these circumstances.
Instead of losing hope, and giving up, my attitude towards school grew stronger. In keeping my mind off of my circumstances, I became involved in academic and extracurricular activities. Academics such as National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars and extracurricular activities such as Black Student Union, Track and Field, Young Women of Excellence, and Youth of Zion. These activities kept me occupied, mentally and emotionally stable, while going through rough times. In addition, I started working: little tasks such as cutting grass, raking leaves, and walking dogs provided small amounts of money, just enough for me to keep going.
Some individuals linger on the past, and go through life full of hatred, heartache, and depression. They become apathetic and don’t fight for anything other than what they’ve been handed. I made it my purpose to not live a life of self-pity. I turned my hatred, heartache, depression, anger, loneliness, and frustration into strength, self-reliance, and self-confidence.
Poverty is an obstacle I’ve overcame. I no longer have to face the trials of homelessness, hunger, or the emptiness of love. My life has had a complete turnaround. God has blessed me and my grandmother to live lives of great success.
Ten years ago my mother abandoned me. Instead of destroying me, this hardship built my character. Marianne Williamson a spiritual activist, author, and lecturer wrote, “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” I am indebted to the light of others which has illuminated a path for me to experience life, happiness, laughter, and love. And through the hardships I have faced, my goal is to allow my light to shine and light the way for others.
LaShira's Achievements:
Summer 2009 LEDA Scholars
Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute is a rigorous seven-week academic curriculum held at Princeton University that provides vibrant guidance in effective & ethical leadership, analytical thinking, analysis of texts regarding democracy, philosophy, economics, and activist citizenship throughout the world.
AWARDS/HONORS
Youth Female of the Year 2006
National Honor Society 2006-2008
Young Women of Excellence (Y.W.E.) 2006-2010
Scholar-Athlete Award 2007-2010
Attendance Award 2007-2010
DECA Graduation Recognition Award/ Appreciation Award 2010
HHS 5A Girls 2010 State Champions for Track & Field (1st Place)
2010 1st Place Discus State Champion
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
DECA 2008-2010
National Honor Society 2007-2010
Varsity Track & Field 2007-2010
Black Student Union (BSU) 2006-2010 (President 2009-2010)
Youth of Zion 2004-2010
Y.W.E 2006-2010
Created II Praise 2006-2010
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Pancake Breakfast 2006-2010: feeding and ministering to the homeless & less fortunate in my local church community
BSU 2007-2010: Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Staff-Student meeting on education & diversity among APS.
SKILLS
Public Speaking
Communication
Proficient in: Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Power Point
LASHIRA ADAMS’S SCHOLARSHIPS
DePauw University Scholarships & Grants for 2010-2011:
Trustee Award $15,000
Annual Fund Scholarship $12,392
Federal Pell Grant $5, 550
Fed Supp Education Opportunity Grant $1,500
Est. Academic Competitiveness Grant $750
OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
Daniels Fund Scholarship: highest granted $80,000
New Mexico Black Lawyers Association (NMBLA) Book Scholarship $300
|
