Class of 2022
Major: International Affairs
School:George Washington University
“As I commence my college journey, I hope to continue exploring my passion for international affairs. Throughout the past few years, I have served as president of my FBLA chapter, as well as being a delegate of Model UN in order to learn more about what my future career may look like. As a member of these two programs, I have developed my public speaking skills. Now, as a leader, I hope to help others do the same. Overall, I see my secondary education as a tool that will help me speak for those who are not given a voice and bring change to the world.”
Major: Nursing
School: Drexel University
“My interest in healthcare began during my high school years when I completed a research paper on racial disparities in labor and delivery. During my research, I discovered my passion in the healthcare field. I knew I wanted to major in nursing. Furthermore, I knew that majoring in nursing would also give me an opportunity to help my community. During my time at Drexel, I hope to gain as much experience as possible with patient care. With a nursing degree, I will obtain the skills needed to become a nurse who listens and provides my patients with the best possible care.”
Major: Finance
School: Community College of Philadelphia
“I envisage selling luxurious high-rise condominiums and dominating the real estate industry. With my expertise, clients will succeed in their investments and business ventures! I’ll also become a pro bono advocate for refugees in war-torn countries, and I’ll guide them in relocating to the U.S. for safety. I’ll teach them to acquire assets, invest, and build generational wealth.
I volunteer to feed the homeless, and I have an insatiable desire to help others. I’ll use my salary to fund free programs for Philadelphia’s youth. I’ll establish neighborhood watch programs in crime-infiltrated areas, and I’ll be a compass navigating kids on a path of excellence and prosperity. Many are underprivileged students who’ve endured trial and tribulation. I’ll teach kids to transform pain into purpose. If one perceives pain as negative, they’ll never progress into purpose. As we elevate, every level becomes more painful, but we become stronger. Pain instills resilience to overcome the greater challenges we’ll encounter as we fulfill our destiny. This wisdom will pass through generations as my students teach their future kids these values.
I’m fighting for equality by leading AMOUR campaigns. We’ll march through city streets to overcome racism, homelessness, financial inequality in minorities, and other injustices. I’m a student fighting to escape the status quo and utilizing education to overcome poverty. I’m embarking on an odyssey for knowledge, propelling future generations towards greatness, and my contribution to our community is philanthropy. I wish for success in my fellow HIFF scholars’ endeavors!”
Major: Psychology
School: Millersville University
“I have always been passionate about giving back to my community and making a difference in our world. This upcoming fall, I will be attending Millersville University, where I will be majoring in Psychology. Once I finish my undergrad at Millersville University, I plan on working toward getting my master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. I have always dreamed of being able to help others live a comfortable and independent lifestyle, as well as being a voice for the voiceless. As an Occupational Therapist, I plan to give back to my community by using my native language and helping those who typically don’t receive the help they need due to language barriers. I know that as an Occupational Therapist, I will be able to change many people’s lives and make a difference in our world. With the help and support of my family and the Herb It Foward community, I will accomplish my goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist. With God by my side, I know I will accomplish all of my aspirations in life and become an Occupational Therapist.”
Major: Politics & International Relations
Minor: Pre-Law
School: Messiah University
“In the fall of 2022, I will be launched into the next phase of my academic career, which will focus on pursuing a degree that will equip me to practice law and teach the law. I am passionate about doing significant work with the interpretation of civil law, especially in the urban context. It is my vision to chart a clear path for young women of color, especially to see themselves as capable, talented, and able to achieve impactful change through the varying branches of the law. Through my continued work of mentoring young women, I will encourage diligence and discipline in academics and the value of developing skills and talent beyond the classroom.”
Major: Physics
School: University of Pennsylvania
“Jackie Chan once said, “Nothing makes me more determined to succeed than someone telling me something’s impossible.” Throughout my high school career, I’ve often been the one telling myself that it was impossible, I was simply “bad” at math, and I avoided it. But when it came to physics, even though I still feel that I am “bad,” I know I will regret not learning it. Despite myself and some of those around me doubting whether I will finish this degree, I want to prove that I can. That’s why I will be majoring in physics at the University of Pennsylvania to then attend graduate school for a Ph.D.
Jackie Chan brought great movies to the world; though I can barely walk without accidentally stubbing my toe, I want to bring something to better the world as well. I want to be a researcher whose discoveries allow humanity to take one step forward in science. I want to become a mentor whose guidance allows others to reach their full potential. I want to be a friend for my community, whether it be for HIFF or my college community, to offer support when they need me. When Jackie Chan falls, he gets back up, so I will do the same even when my physics homework seems impossible or my grade is questionable. As of now, I should prepare for the summer programs I will be doing and learning from my current mentors.”
Major: Biology
School: Drexel University
“I plan to study Biology at Drexel University for the next four years and, in the grand scheme, become a PM&R physician through Medical School. I want to help as many people as possible in the future, and this is my way of accomplishing that goal. I ran Cross Country and Track and Field competitively through all four years in high school and noticed the detrimental effects of injuries on the athletes. The injuries not only affected them when they ran but also worsened their mood and academics during that time period. After helping many of my teammates recover from their injuries, I felt inspired to walk down the path of a physical therapist. I didn’t want to stop at only helping athletes, so I searched for alternatives, and that is how I arrived at the conclusion of a PM&R physician. Becoming a PM&R physician gives me access to many more tools and ways to help physically injured people, and I am willing to go through many hardships to acquire those tools to help others.”
Major: Broadcast Journalism
School: Florida A&M University
“When I was little, I remember always being in front of the camera, recording myself, conducting interviews, and even creating a YouTube channel. Now, a determined high school senior who sought to attend the #1 public HBCU, however, finances and proximity to home were concerns for my family, but Herb It Forward’s generosity provides me the opportunity to start my education and meet my full potential to pursue higher education at an illustrious out-of-state institution.
As a young African-American woman considering a career in media, a field that far too often lacks diversity, it is easy to feel unappreciated and unworthy. I pray after completing my first year as a “Rattler,” my experiences will teach me a level of resilience and persistence that I will never forget and surely apply in future career endeavors. As a young woman working to write my future, I aspire to use my platform and influence to improve the depiction of the African-American community in print, radio, television, and digital media.”
Major: Undecided
School: Temple University
“My passion is to become a music teacher and also become qualified to teach special education. I am currently working as a special education teaching assistant at my former high school. Also, I am working with elementary school-age students for summer camp to broaden my experience with different-aged children. I want to be able to be the best future teacher that I can be. I love the feeling of being able to help other people learn.”
Major: Political Science
School: Lincoln University
“Growing up, I always wanted to be a politician, so that’s what I’m going to school for. I always wanted to give back and help improve my community, so that’s what I’m here to do. I am currently interning with Senator Christina Tartaglione. I intend to graduate with a bachelor’s in Political Science and take the necessary steps to become a US Congresswoman. I want to break barriers for people who look like me.”
Major: Biology
School: Harrisburg University
“Science has been something I’ve been passionate about since I was young—especially Biology. I’ve always found it interesting learning about different aspects of biology and how people use it to help others. The ability to help others is what made me gravitate toward it. I plan to use my degree to help others. I also want to return to the community I grew up in to show people that their dreams can become a reality. I would also like to build a community center. I know I have to stay focused and try my hardest to accomplish my goals. I know the road will be long, and I will fall, but I will get back up. I want to close off with a quote that resonates with me. The great Kobe Bryant once said, ‘I would rather go 0 for 30 than 0 for 9. 0 for 9 means you beat yourself.'”
Major: Finance
School: Drexel University
“My long-term career goal is to prepare myself and be equipped with enough knowledge to work at an investment bank such as Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley. I enjoy collaborating with people because I can learn so much from their experiences and perspective. Open myself to others, have conversations with my mentor or my professors and learn from their experience and wisdom. My short-term goal is to get started early in this career and build on my knowledge. For example, I intended to improve on my current investing method, as I mentioned earlier. Participating in our school investing clubs to make more connections.
Most importantly, I want to intern in an investing company as they are the perfect opportunities to understand this career path. To achieve my goals, I intend to intern in these companies to have first-hand experience that will be beneficial to me in the future. I will actively participate in my work and grasp as much knowledge as possible along the way.”
Major: Actuarial Science
School: Temple University
“I am currently majoring in actuarial science at Temple University. I am new to this major, but I am still investing and learning more about fields in this major. I have chosen this major because I want to pursue a math-related field, but I also want to find one that deals with analyzing risks and helping others, particularly helping Asians who can’t speak English with their insurance. Insurance is something everyone needs, but due to communication difficulties, it is hard for them to get insurance. From weekly meetings in the Gamma Iota Sigma program that my university offers for actuarial science and risk management students and from talking to people in this field, I know actuary is what I want to pursue. In my next few years in college, I am willing to face challenges, try new things, join clubs, contribute to the community, as well as learn how to gain more confidence. I have not thought too far down about my future goals, but I hope to pursue something I will enjoy doing and still be able to spend time with those around me. I am confident that through the support from my friends and family and from the Herb It Forward community, I will learn more and be a successful person.”
Major: Nursing
School: Howard University
“In the fall, I will be attending Howard University to pursue Nursing. I didn’t always want to be a nurse, but I’ve always had the desire to help others, give back to my community, and inspire. In school, I gravitated toward science and math. I love the nursing career in healthcare because of how connected I see nurses are with their patients and how active nurses are in hospitals, clinics, etc. Also, I have options. I could be a neonatal nurse, pediatric nurse, travel nurse, and there are so many more. Another is I could go further within the field. Nursing can also be very tough, but I know that I can handle things when it does. Becoming a young black woman within the healthcare system means a lot to me. One day I hope to open up a free clinic in honor of my great-grandmother. I want to show people who look like me that they could do it too; they can be successful. The steps that I will take to meet my goals would be furthering my education, taking advantage of opportunities to better myself, learning from my mistakes, and adjusting to things I did wrong. I will stay open to constructive criticism and ask for help when I may need it. I do know that it will be a rocky road, but it’s not impossible. Opening a free clinic is a dream of mine, and I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.”
Major: Finance and Management Information Systems
School: Temple University
“I never thought I would go into the business field until I read many novels that fueled my passion for business, particularly Finance and Management Information Systems. Although I am still discovering my career of interest, I have explored resources and taken advantage of the opportunities that will benefit me during my time at Temple. I joined Student Professional Organizations (SPOs), which will assist me in paving a path toward my potential career by gaining insights into professionals’ careers and their insight. I plan to obtain internships related to my majors and continue to volunteer so I can give back to our community. In the future, I hope to competently create systems that make business transactions clear, effective, and efficient for everyone and assist the people in eliminating potential flaws. I aspire to further my education in graduate school to develop and advance my skills where I can apply them in different ways.”
Major: Finance
School: University of New Haven
“My name is Kijana, and I will be a freshman at the University of New Haven this coming fall, 2022, majoring in Finance. I am also a member of the Marching Band and plan to join the Music Theatre club. This year I was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success, where I plan on expanding my leadership and networking skills. I enjoy painting, playing with my rabbits, and playing my guitar in my spare time. My future goal is to create a nonprofit organization to teach financial literacy to underprivileged communities. I believe that giving back to the community is so very important for us all to succeed. I plan to use the knowledge that I gain through my degree, internships, and future career to help people learn how to manage their money better and create assets to provide for their future!”
Major: Biology Pre-Med
School: Bloomsburg University
“When asked what I wanted to be in life, it was always something based on the benefit of others. Throughout my life, I have always wanted to help others and make sure everybody is okay mentally, physically, and emotionally. The passion stemmed from seeing my mom be such a hard worker and being great at it. Her always having a helping hand out helped me mimic what she does daily, which is help others. Knowing I loved to help others, it led me to choose a career that would always allow me to do something that helps others non-stop. I work to achieve this goal every day by doing my schoolwork, studying for tests, and even so much as helping my mom with my baby brother. Even on my lacrosse team, I help my teammates find the motivation they might be lacking at times. With my degree, I intend to become a travel nurse to help other places in need of more assistance or help.”
Major: Business Management
Minor: Sports Marketing
School: East Stroudsburg University
“As a future business major at East Stroudsburg University, I figured out a way to pair my passion for football with business & advertisement and learn more about sports management. I’m intrigued with the impact that I will make after college, the lives I will touch, and the fact that I won’t work a job but activate a career.
My career will allow me to work with celebrities in addition to helping small businesses and giving back to my community. This is the definition of living in the best of both worlds. I may not know exactly what my future career will be, but I have opened a wide umbrella for myself with various opportunities to prove myself in the field.
To better prepare myself for my future, I assumed leadership roles on my football team as captain; I manage a YouTube channel and website where my sister reads award-winning books and teaches valuable lessons to preschoolers. I am also an officer in Abington Senior High School’s DECA Club. I spend countless hours completing community service for organizations like Praise is the Cure and Delta Community Services. This summer, I registered with an organization: Melanated Creators, to take virtual classes about how to podcast, write blogs and manage social media.
As a proud recipient of the Herb It Forward Scholarship, I am eager to surround myself with new people from various backgrounds and continue to be inspired to make each and every one of my dreams a reality.”
Major: Journalism and Business
School: Southern Methodist University
“For the longest time, I’ve been passionate about journalism! It first started in third grade when I joined my school’s newspaper; since then, I’ve stuck with it. Doing the KYW Newstudies program my sophomore year, and creating my own radio report, solidified that I want to pursue journalism. I love creating content that helps others. Journalism gives people a way to showcase their diverse voices and advocate for communities. In the fall, I will be attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, for Journalism. I will also as a business major with direct entry into their BBA program. In addition to HIF, I am a Hunt Leadership Scholar at SMU, which combines learning with leadership. I am so excited to be a part of both communities with like-minded, ambitious students who are going to change the world!”
Major: Chemical Engineering
School: Ohio University
“As an immigrant from a developing country, I am no stranger to obstacles and hindrances in life. I moved to America in 2016 with an avid passion for the sciences and an even stronger ambition to better myself and the surrounding world around me. Today, I am an aspiring chemical engineer at Ohio University. Currently, I hold a position as an environmental intern at August Mack Environmental Inc. as well as an undergraduate research assistant this summer. My goal in life is to make the fruits of science and engineering accessible to more people— both socially and financially— and use my talents to help create a world that our future generations can be genuinely proud of.”
Major: Biology
School: University of Pennsylvania
“Looking forward, I would like to make an impact in the healthcare field to make it more equitable. I view healthcare as a vital need, but facts have consistently shown there are countless people who are disadvantaged by our systems. One day, I would like to attend Pharmacy school to be a part of the innovation of the healthcare field to advance medicine but also make it more accessible and equitable. In trying to learn more, I was previously able to secure an internship with Independence Blue Cross that solidified my career path. I was able to see the behind-the-scenes aspect of healthcare and how the healthcare field comes in a variety of occupations that all play a role in the care people receive. As I attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall, I plan to continue my advocacy and education in healthcare.”
Major: Social Work
School: Widener University
“Hello everyone! My name is Mykirah, and I attend Widener University as a social work major. I chose to be a social worker because I want to advocate for others. I love being able to learn people’s stories and help them find the resources they need, even if that means I have to be a listening ear to them. So far, during my time at Widener, I have obtained an internship in my field and joined the BSW Club. My internship was at Elwyn Early Learning Services, Chester location, where I worked as an office assistant. During my time in the office, I was able to assist with finding up-to-date resources for families and finding accommodating preschools or daycares for children. After completing my BSW degree, my hope is to obtain my MSW degree. After completing my years in school, I intend to begin my career as a child welfare social worker or a school worker.”
Major: Anthropology
School: Penn State University, Abington Campus
“‘Once I discovered what anthropology was, I knew it was what I wanted to study. History has always been a big part of my life; whether it was me watching documentaries with my grandma or reading historical texts, I have always had a knack for the past. Ancient civilizations had a lot of answers to questions we are asking today. Looking back and studying these communities lost to time could help further advance the people of today. I would specifically like to take a look at ancient humans and civilizations through the queer lens. Many humans of the past had very fluid thoughts on gender and sexuality before the spread of Christianity and colonialism. A lot of modern-day communities struggle with even seeing queer people as people, but thousands of years ago, many queer people were living and thriving with no opposition. Studying how these people lived their lives back then and spreading awareness of these queer people’s existence thousands of years ago could help with the fight for equal rights today. Gaining an education in anthropology would help me learn even more about how these old civilizations lived peacefully in regard to queerness, as well as how colonization forced queerness into hiding. With this added education, I could rally for change more effectively and protest for change with more merit. If civilizations could accept queerness over a millennium ago, so can modern-day humans.”
Major: Health Care Studies
School: Community College of Philadelphia
“I am interested in becoming a dentist because I want to give everyone a beautiful smile; I like to smile a lot; even though I went through a lot of bad actions in my life, I still love to smile, and I want everyone to be confident of their smile. I also want to make my parents happy because their dream was to teach and help me become a doctor so I could help people. I want to help them with my salary too because they survived a lot in this life; I want them to live a happy, peaceful life without thinking about the bills, the rent, and so on…I want to pay them back.”
Major: Graphic Design
School: Temple University
“I want to work for a video game company one day, dealing more specifically with the art side of things. I want to be a concept artist that comes up with ideas for things such as characters, items, environments, etc. This is my profession of choice because I have always loved drawing and playing games ever since I was young, so it was natural for me to pick a career that has the best of both worlds: Art and Gaming. I plan to reach this goal by getting my Bachelor’s Degree at Temple’s art school, which is named “Tyler School of Art and Architecture.” I believe that I’ll be able to gain the necessary knowledge from college to get myself a spot in my dream career of being a concept artist for games. And if I manage to reach this goal, I can also possibly work as a freelance artist that accepts commissions from others on the side as well to make a little extra when I have the time as well. However, If I somehow don’t make it into this profession, which is unfortunate, but it does have a chance of happening, then I’ll most likely just work as a graphic designer. The reason I would pick it as an alternative is because of the overall enjoyment I got from doing it during my time in high school; I see it as something that I’ll still love and enjoy doing despite it not being my dream job.”
Major: Biology
School: Howard University
“I am Othello; I relish the quote, “Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do!” I believe in the power of options. There are things in this life that come with natural ability, and then there are things that you must work hard on now to see the fruits of your labor later. For me, track and visual arts came naturally. However, you always have to put in the work to stay on top. Everything in track is number driven. The faster you are, the more opportunities come your way. I realized that early on, especially when it came to academics. Not only am I grateful for my drive in school and on the track field, but I allowed myself the opportunity to have options. It is an honor to be accepted into my number 1 school at Howard University, which I will be attending in fall 2022.
Most importantly, I was accepted into 90% of the schools I applied to. I am committed to attending Howard University with a major in biology. Furthermore, I am committed to becoming a Pediatric Dentist. I believe that with my drive and faith, the road may be long and arduous, but it will be GOD driven, which makes my journey even more rewarding. I am full of gratitude and determination with nothing standing in my way, so if opportunity doesn’t knock, I believe that I have the right character and tools to build the door!”
Major: Biology Pre-Med
School: Neumann University
“In the future, I see myself working in the medical field. Helping people has always been a passion of mine, so falling in love with human anatomy and physiology just made sense with wanting to work with body structures and how they function, as well as how to find and fix them when they are not functioning properly, in my career. My current goal is to continue volunteering as much as possible while also doing my best in Student Engagement & Leadership so that I can continue to grow into my voice and service and learn what my community needs and how I can contribute to helping.
Once I finish my degree and pass the MCAT in 2026, I hope to attend Baylor College of Medicine and work hard to match into residency. When all is said and done, I plan to be a radiologist or radiation oncologist. And because of the support I received from herb it forward, I will be able to help others on a daily basis.”
Major: Management Information Systems
School: Rowan University
“I have many passions that vary from art to social activism; technology has been a way for me to connect them all and has shown me the power it has and the impact it will constantly have in changing the world. When I was picking my major, I was at a crossroads for a while, but MIS has connected these two separate roads of business and technology, allowing me to fulfill my goals on a completely different scale. Because of my major, I have an outlet to multiple industries and will not have to restrict my interests, I can work in government, technology, and business, and for me, that’s a win-win-win. I am currently enrolled in Rowan University’s Management Information Systems program and will be completing internships during my time there. I also plan to continue volunteering and joining various clubs. Post-graduation, I would like to officially begin my career, whether it be working in analysis, project management, or software development. Personally, I would like to begin my goal of donating to fund schools in my mother country, Bangladesh, helping children from low-income families receive an education. I also plan to donate to countries facing humanitarian crises and continue actively fighting for human rights. My ultimate goal is to use all of the knowledge I attain and the privileges I do have to change as much of the world as I can and influence others to do the same.”
Major: Biology
School: Penn State University, Abington Campus
“One of my passions is children. Taking care of children is my biggest passion, and it makes me happy to be able to know that one day I will have a career doing something I love; whether I am a pediatrician, or a preschool or elementary school teacher, I know that I will do amazing things. By going to college and getting an education on children is one way I am working towards my goals. Whether I get my bachelor’s degree and then go on to medical school or get my early childhood education degree, whatever career I choose, I can say with confidence and certainty that I will be making a difference in children’s lives.”
Major: Mechanical Engineering
School: New York University
“I’ve dreamt of becoming an engineer since I was a child because of my passion for math and science. I have always wanted to learn new things and explore the unexplored. I will be attending NYU as a mechanical engineering major, and I hope to minor in robotics. As a mechanical engineer, I hope to broaden my knowledge and create opportunities for myself in research. In high school, I participated in a lot of extracurriculars such as chess, badminton, science olympiad club, and robotics. In college, I plan to continue expanding my interests while also contributing to the community by introducing my culture and innovative ideas to people I meet. After I graduate, I want to fulfill my passion of helping people by applying the knowledge and experience I gain from college to make a positive impact on this world. For starters, I want to create my own Robotics organization to engage those in the community who are interested in building their own robots and want to gain experience with them before attending college, free of cost. In addition to a robotics organization, I hope to open a Bangladeshi student organization, where I’ll explain the college application process to immigrant students. As an immigrant, I know how hard it is to get through the college application process, and I think I’ll be able to give them good advice and resources that will help eliminate parental stress and mental exhaustion of incoming students.”
Major: Nursing
School: La Salle University
“Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to go into a healthcare profession. Helping and caring for people is something I have always loved, which has led me to nursing. I wanted to choose a profession that would challenge me both mentally and physically while still keeping me interested since modern medicine is always changing. I want to become a nurse because I know that I can make a huge impact on someone’s life. As a nurse, I can help people who are in need by being there to simply hold their hand, speak with them or comfort their families in addition to attending to their medical needs. I also want to become a nurse so that I can give back to my community; being a Senegalese-American, I have always wanted to be able to help my community back home. In Senegal, they do not have all of the resources we have. By becoming a nurse, I can use all my knowledge to back to Senegal and help people in need.”
Major: Culinary Arts
School: The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
“I am interested in Culinary Arts because I want to give my community access to healthier meals. In many urban communities, all you see are fast food restaurants. But if you were to drive in a suburban neighborhood, there are many healthier options. My great-grandmother and her children are from Trinidad and Tobago. I grew up learning and eating different foods from Trinidad and Tobago during my childhood. When my mother cooked dinner, she would pull my brother and me into the kitchen. She would teach us how to cook certain meals, and one day she taught us how to make curry chicken with chana and potato. Many Trinidadians keep the chana and potatoes separate from the curry chicken, but we like to add it all together. My mother taught my brother and me how to cook a traditional meal from our culture; it sparked a sudden interest in the wonderful world of culinary arts. Guy Fieri said, ‘Cooking is all about people. Food is the only universal thing that really has the power to bring people together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together.’ That day my mother taught my brother the importance of our culture and me and why embracing who we are is not something you should not be ashamed of. My mother would preach to my brother and me all the time and say: ‘Have confidence and believe in yourself!’
Growing up can be a struggle because you are trying to figure yourself out, and you want to make sure you make the best decisions for your life! I know this next chapter in my life will not be easy. However, I must stay determined, dedicated, hardworking, and self-motivated to have a successful future. Ella Fitzgerald once said, ‘It’s not about where you’ve been; it’s about where you are going.'”