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AEF Scholarship Winner Profile: Anura Sharma
Anura Sharma is a junior at Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC). She participated in the American Experience Foundation (AEF)'s virtual summer internship program, where she interacted with hospitality leaders and presented a final project on her approach to rebuilding the industry post-pandemic. "When COVID-19 began spreading quickly around the world, I went from switching to different classrooms at the sound of a bell to switching between meetings on Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This experience has drastically changed my high school experience. While my environment is ever-changing, I have strengthened my resilience, patience and time management skills." Much like other schools, CHEC converted to online learning. Anura had difficulty adjusting to being in front of a screen all day, a significant change from socializing with peers and faculty between classes. However, as time went on and schools improved their online presence, Anura felt better prepared for the virtual fall semester. Anura says, "my teachers were understanding and supported me every step of the way." Local schools developed ways to creatively engage with students by using social media platforms. Next month, AEF will resume the popular Wednesday Hospitality Club. Follow along with the club’s guest speakers and student reactions on LinkedIn.
AEF Scholarship Winner Profile: Jermaine Evans
Jermaine Evans of Woodrow Wilson Senior High School is a 2020 American Experience Foundation (AEF) Scholarship Winner. He plans on attending Fayetteville State University this fall and wants to major in psychology and business. Jermaine was very surprised and overwhelmed when he found out that he won the scholarship, which has allowed him to attend the college of his dreams. “I hope that one day, I can help a student achieve their goals just like AEF has for me,” Jermaine said. Jermaine is dedicated to his family, friends and community. He participated in Wilson’s fashion and sign language clubs and sat on the climate committee. Psychology and business are areas of focus for Jermaine because he wants to help those with mental illnesses, especially those in the Black community, and from his research on mental health, he learned there is a shortage of Black psychologists. Jermaine is also intrigued by the hotel industry and wants to start his own hotel in the future. From his scholarship essay: “Hotels offer shelter for people from out of town, all with different reasons for being there. Hotels are a meeting point for people to connect with each other. They are a place for business deals to be signed, diplomacy to be conducted and big parties to be hosted.” Jermaine wants to thank his Hospitality Academy teachers Aleta Lea, Brandon Wims and Alex Wilson. He believes that the Academy helped him to discover his passion and career goals. Jermaine loved learning behind the scenes of the hospitality and tourism industry, and Ms. Lea, Mr. Wims Brandon and Mr. Wilson helped guide him throughout his experience. Lastly, we asked Jermaine to give a piece of advice for underclassmen. Here were his words: “I want them to know that friends come and go. Stay focused in school and take advantage of opportunities that will take you places and guide you to your future. It will all be worth it in the end.”