Lois Pope will honor Altruism and Achievement with Unsung Hero Scholarships
for Aspiring Doctors attending City College of New York
New York, NY and Delray Beach, FL - On October 7, 2009, Lois Pope will present four deserving freshmen at the Sophie B. Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City College of New York with the prestigious Lois Pope LIFE Unsung Hero Scholarship. Daniel Asemota, from Queens, Maha Salama, from Manhattan and Mohammad Sadat and Chantal Strachan, from Brooklyn have all exhibited an amazing spirit of achievement and altruism. Each of these outstanding individuals will be presented with a $25,000 scholarship by philanthropist Lois Pope."These young people, despite coming from underprivileged backgrounds have achieved academically and socially while giving back to their communities in exceptional ways," said Lois Pope, founder and chairman of the Lois Pope Life Foundation and LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education). "Even more striking is that each of these amazing students has the desire to serve underprivileged communities after they obtain their degree and continue to serve others in the same unselfish way: without thought for themselves or for monetary gain. They should serve as a shining example to all of us, that no matter our circumstances, we should always take time to help others. One only has to learn a little about them to see how truly extraordinary they are."One former Unsung Hero Scholarship recipient is a perfect example of the dedication to serving others Mrs. Pope is speaking about-25 year old Omolara Thomas, M.D.. Dr. Thomas is ministering to patients in malaria and AIDS infested outreaches of Malawi, where the Brooklyn born girl will be making a difference instead of making a fortune. Having been given her chance in 1997 with a $50,000 scholarship from Lois Pope, the then 15 year old Omolara enrolled for studies at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at CCNY, and will now continue to honor the spirit of the award, and indeed, continue with on her own path of giving that was started so many years ago.
A resident with physician with Dr. Thomas' training could expect to earn well over $100,000 their first year in practice but she has chosen to take a different path. She says: "Because of Lois Pope, I had very little money in loans to repay, but then I had a greater debt to repay. This woman and her generosity made me think about this, and made me realize truly what a difference one woman - one doctor, perhaps can make."
About the 2009 Unsung Hero Recipients:
Daniel Asemota graduated from Queens Gateway to Health Sciences High School, where he was named to the Honor Roll in every semester and inducted into The National Honor Society. He was elected vice president of student government in his senior year. Daniel also attended the Queens Bridge to Medicine Program, an enrichment program for high school seniors that helps to prepare students for programs like the Sophie Davis School. Despite his rigorous academic schedule, Daniel has always found time to give back to his community. He worked for one summer at a local nursery school and another at a public library. For more than two years, Daniel volunteered with the South Jamaica Police Athletic League where, among other things, he traveled to a variety of PAL centers in Queens to tutor children in science. He has also worked with children through his involvement in his church. Many of Daniel's activities center around children and, indeed, his dream is to become a pediatrician and continue working with children for his career. Daniel writes in one his essays, "We need to look beyond ourselves; maybe then will our world be a better place."Maha Salama graduated from the High School for Math, Science and Engineering at The City College of New York, where she earned many academic recognitions, was president of The National Honor Society and was honored as Valedictorian of her graduating class. One summer, Maha was selected and took part in a neuroscience experience at The Rockefeller University. Throughout her high school career she was able to observe, work and do research in many capacities at Mount Sinai Hospital. This included interacting directly with a variety of patients. Maha volunteered one summer at a local public library and routinely at her school as a peer tutor. She writes, "Knowledge is a powerful tool and with it great changes can be brought to the world."
Mohammad Sadat graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, where he earned designation as an AP Scholar with Honors and was inducted into the ARISTA National Honor Society. Mohammad also attended the Queens Bridge to Medicine Program, an enrichment program for high school seniors that helps to prepare students for programs like the Sophie Davis School. Mohammad found time to volunteer for many hours at both Brookdale University Hospital and at Coney Island Hospital. He was able to observe many different areas of medicine and work directly with patients in these experiences. He credits his volunteer work with solidifying the desire to become a doctor. He writes that through volunteer work, "I learned to work well with sick patients and understand more about compassion, caring and the human condition."Chantal Strachan graduated from Benjamin Banneker Academy for Community Development, a public high school in Brooklyn, where she was named to Who's Who Among American High School Students. Even with her busy school schedule, Chantal contributed greatly to her community, whether through singing in her church choir or volunteering in many capacitates. She worked for three summers with the READ Foundation, an organization that uses teens to provide one on one tutoring to at risk young children. One summer Chantal completed a mini-medicine program at NYU School of Medicine. In another summer, she volunteered for many hours at NY Community Hospital. Chantal wants to contribute to her community in the future as a physician. She writes, "Physicians, ideally, are the heart that contributes to the body of the community."
Since its inception in 1997, the Lois Pope LIFE Unsung Hero Scholarship Program has provided funds for more than 40 students entering the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at The City College of New York. At this time, four Pope Scholars are selected per year. All have demonstrated superb academic achievement, but more importantly have given selflessly of themselves to their communities. This is in keeping with Mrs. Pope's vision to reward and encourage people who make extraordinary effort to help others.
LIFE and The Lois Pope Life Foundation raise funds in support of the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation by creating a Memorial in our Nation's Capital which seeks to commemorate the courageous sacrifices and dedication of disabled American veterans from all branches of the Armed Services throughout America's history and LIFE's Summer Camp Program for underprivileged and special needs children in Florida.
###