Scholars in the Arts
Randy’s provocative works of metal, wood, and paint have earned considerable recognition.
Volha Pashkevich
“Six months after my family's immigration to the United States, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Due to my parents' inability to speak English, I became the primary interpreter and caregiver for my mom. I went through all the doctors' visits, tests, and screenings with her, and even expanded my role to include her nursing care. Where hospitals previously gave me a feeling of sadness and misery, I started to see them as a place of hope. After working with the doctor side by side, striving to improve my mother’s health, I committed to becoming a medical oncologist.”
- Program: 2010 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Philadelphia, PA
- Hometown: Minsk, Belarus
- Age: 22
- Community College: Manor College
- Four-year College or University: Drexel University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Health Care, Medical Practitioner, Psychology / Therapy, Sciences, Medical Oncology
- Other Interests: Church / Religious Organization, Design, Foreign Languages / International Study, Forensic League / Speech & Debate, Honor Society, Languages, Leadership Development, Literature, Model UN, Performing Arts / Theatre, Religion, Sciences, Student Government, Volunteer Work
Biography
PROFILE: “Dare to dream the most great and interesting dreams, then strive to accomplish them,” Volha “Olga” Pashkevich told her classmates during her valedictory address at Pennsylvania’s Manor College commencement in May 2010. The Belarus native spoke not only from the heart, but from experience. She’s living her dream of being an honors graduate from the prestigious Philadelphia college, and of being a pre-medicine scholarship student at nearby Drexel University. But upon her arrival in the US with her family in 2006, her dreams were more like a nightmare. The Pashkevich family was visiting America, but denied the opportunity to return home. Olga, her parents and her sister were stuck in a new land without possessions and with a language barrier to overcome. A few months later, more bad news hit the family when Olga’s mom was diagnosed with cancer. The family stuck together and her mother’s cancer went into remission. Now Olga is gearing up for the next stage in her life.
INSPIRATION: While attending George Washington High School in Philadelphia, Olga said Steve Weintraub was the first crucial figure in her academic career. Mr. Weintraub encouraged and guided Olga toward a path of hard work, dedication, and perseverence when she began her academic journey in the US.
ASPIRATION: Olga’s goal is to attend medical school, and to become an oncologist.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Olga started the Model United Nations Club at Manor College. She recruited delegates, researched outreach opportunities, organized training sessions, planned Manor’s involvement in Harvard University’s Model United Nations conference in Boston and served as head delegate for the event.
ACCOLADES: Olga was the recipient of the Joseph & Rose Wawriw Scholarship at Manor College. Upon graduation, she was awarded a plaque for Academic Exellence with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She also won a Russian Language International Essay Contest.
INTERESTING FACT: The Manor College delegation to the Harvard National Model United Nations conference was selected to represent Vatican City, and they were dressed in the traditional attire of Catholic clergy.
Other Scholars Like Volha
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J. Ashley Odell
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