EHSA Scholarship Recipient Update

EHSA Scholarship Student Jessica Lopes, EHS ’22, On Her First Semester at Wellesley College.

“We all have potential that we don’t always realize so it’s worth trying.  You should dream big.”

Recently, EHSA checked in with Jessica Lopes ’22, first recipient of the EHSA Nollman Family Scholarship, to learn about her experience as a freshman at Wellesley College.

Now that you’ve been at Wellesley College for a semester, what things are most surprising, exciting, and emotional?

It was the community here that surprised me the most. Everyone is willing to help and motivate you to follow your passions and grow as a person. Even after students graduate, it is extremely common to find an email from an alum presenting an internship or work opportunity in your area of interest. The value of sharing is fascinating at Wellesley. Inclusion is also another value that is highlighted here, which is of importance to me. As a first-generation student and an immigrant, I’m part of WellesleyPlus which aims to assist students with similar backgrounds with their adaptation. Aside from that, there are many cultural events held on campus during the semester to make students feel at home, as well as food from different cultures available in the dining halls. I feel as if I have a piece of home with me at all times, which I find to be an emotional component of living here. And for this semester I’m so excited to explore more classes and possibly do research!

It’s still early in the year, but how did EHS prepare you for this top college?

As a student at English High, I developed the skills of active learning, critical thinking, self-discipline, and leadership. I would not have been able to succeed at Wellesley without these skills. And it wasn’t just about academic skills but also about learning how to adjust to a new environment. This includes how to interact with people from different backgrounds and what to do when things get challenging. For my first semester here I put this into practice and had excellent results.

How does it feel to know that you’re possibly sitting in the same chairs and using the same library as Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Nora Ephron, Callie Crossley, and others?

Having the knowledge that these icons started their journeys in the same places I frequent every day is both inspiring and rewarding for me, and I am unable to adequately convey the feeling. For me, these women serve as inspiring role models that I can look up to, and I hope one day to be able to reach where they were able to leave my mark and serve as an example, just as they did.

What career path are you focusing on now? Has it changed since September?

I’m definitely a STEM person and my passion for neuroscience has grown even more since September, and I have discovered a new passion for music. Since neuroscience and psychology overlap, I intend to major in neuroscience with a concentration in cognitive science and cellular and molecular science, in addition to classical Western music. Despite the fact that it is still early for my senior thesis, I wish to conduct a research study on the effects of music on the brain.

What’s your advice to current high school students?

Please take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to you even if you don’t believe you will get it! We all have potential that we don’t always realize so it’s worth trying. You should dream big about the accomplishments you hope to achieve. However, you should always remember that they will not magically come true and that you will have to work hard for them.

Any other thoughts?

My gratitude for the English High family cannot be adequately expressed. I could not have reached where I am today without you guys. Thank you for being my family while my family was away. Thank you for helping me not only academically but also by being my shoulder friend. Thank you for the wonderful moments. I hope that one day I can repay you for all you have done for me.

 

Read More about Jessica Lopes in our recent profile: “From Cape Verde to Wellesley College by Way of English High”