Shirli Weiss Scholarship
Allison Janineh, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Allison Janineh is a rising senior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences who plans to attend graduate school for Occupational Therapy. She became involved with the Autistic community as a swim instructor at age 12 and has since fallen in love with helping others achieve goals in their personal endeavors using patience, creative thinking, and scientific evidence. She has work experience with varying populations in several rehabilitative settings and is excited to explore more professional opportunities throughout her remaining time in education. Outside of her professional life, Allison loves the outdoors; she served as President of the UMass Amherst Rock Climbing Team and chose to study abroad at a research base in the rainforests of Australia!
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for your incredible donation towards my scholarship. Your generosity has not only lightened my financial burden but has also lifted my spirits and filled my heart with gratitude.
Thanks to your donation, I can now afford to do the internship that I feel will benefit me most career-wise and worry less about the hourly wage. Your contribution has given me the freedom to focus on my studies and dive into my passion for learning without the stress of financial constraints.
Not only did your generosity bring financial relief, but it also reaffirmed my faith in the kindness of strangers. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, your selfless act reminds me that there are still amazing people out there who genuinely care about the dreams and aspirations of others. Your belief in my potential has ignited a fire within me, and I am determined to make the most of this opportunity.
I promise to work hard, study diligently, and put every penny of your donation to good use. My goal is not only to succeed academically but also to carry your spirit of generosity forward. I want to be a beacon of hope and support for others, just as you have been for me. I am beyond grateful for your investment in my future and the flexibility you have brought into my life.
As I embark on this exciting chapter of my education, I carry your goodwill in my heart and look forward to the day when I can pay it forward and bring smiles to others, just as you have brought one to mine.
Zoya Achildiyev, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Zoya Achildiyev is pursuing her BS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences as well as a certification in Developmental Disability Human Studies and minoring in psychology. Zoya is also a research lab member where she works to understand how speech is recognized and perceived. After graduating, she hopes to earn a masters degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has internship experience working with Down children and autistic kids, and wants to work with these populations when she is older. Zoya’s free time is spent volunteering for Helpings Hands by baking goodies to give to nursing homes near UMass. Zoya also enjoys spin workout classes, volleyball, and going hiking with friends. When alone, Zoya enjoys reading the Percy Jackson series and loves drawing her environment.
Thank you so much for your kind donation, I appreciate that you believe in me. I am a first generation college student, my parents were immigrants and did not have the luxury of going to college. College was not even an option because of the expense it brings. Through their stories and my love for school, I understand the value of obtaining a college degree. My parents never went to college, they are paying the price now by having to work over 3 jobs each just to make ends meet. I am very fearful of my life ending up like that, but donations like this allow me to focus on my education. My hope is that one day when I make it big in this world, I will be sure to give that wealth to someone who deserves it and needs it. Life is one big circle and I truly believe what goes around always comes back around. Your generosity is the reason that special needs kids will always have a safe space in my classroom. Once more, thank you so much for believing in me and choosing me. You will not be disappointed.
Adrianna Brent, Public Health Sciences
Adrianna Brent is a rising senior at UMass Amherst, studying Public Health Sciences and Political Science. She is a proud Liberian-American woman and a first-generation college student. On campus, Adrianna serves as a peer ambassador for the Commonwealth Honors College and also works as a resident assistant, assisting first-year students. Outside of school, she loves to read, write, and travel! This summer, she is working as a Legislative Intern in Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Washington, D.C. office. After graduation, Adrianna plans to go to law school in hopes of pursuing a career in healthcare law and contributing diverse expertise to identify and implement interventions to promote equality.
I would like to introduce myself as a recipient of the Shirli Fabbri Weiss Internship Scholarship and thank you for making it possible for me to receive this award.
My path to public health policy began with my mother, who was forced to escape her war-ridden country, Liberia, and immigrate to the United States. With few resources and income, my mother enrolled my family in many government assistance and community programs. During our time in the WIC program, we received healthy foods, nutrition education, and assistance with purchasing groceries. While it relieved some of our family's financial stress and provided the aid we needed, we encountered many obstacles. Our community, home to a large population of Liberian immigrants, had significantly poorer quality foods and less access to transportation. Our city also had low access to supermarkets, forcing us to rely on independent corner stores and local entrepreneurs for food. With no car and long travel distances to WIC-approved stores, my mother and I, along with other neighbors, discontinued the government assistance program. It was difficult not to see a link between the hardships we experienced and our low-income, ethnic community. I became aware of these inequalities at a young age. It was visible in our grocery stores, WIC clinics, and transportation systems.
As a result of this experience, I realized the significance of the government and its shortcomings. Its policies and programs, though intended to help American families, did not address the challenges that marginalized communities face. With this, I began to do my own research on how to communicate these disparities, but as a first-generation student, I lacked the resources and platform to make any progress. However, I did not give up because of the immigrant experience of my community and mother. It is what drives my perseverance.
However, UMass has provided me with numerous opportunities to explore the connection between public health policy and marginalized communities and make a significant impact on my community as a leader. On campus, I serve as a peer ambassador for the Commonwealth Honors College and also work as a resident assistant, assisting first-year students. In my local community, I dedicated the past year to volunteering at the Massachusetts Trial Court, providing aid to low-income litigants. Additionally, I worked as a COVID-19 testing technician, administering tests to local residents. Thanks to this scholarship, I will have the privilege of working as a legislative intern in Senator Warren's Washington, D.C. office, where I will concentrate on health policy at the federal level.
This scholarship is not just financial aid; it is an invaluable opportunity that will spark my passion to pursue my educational goals and professional aspirations through an extraordinary internship experience. As a young Liberian-American woman responsible not only for my personal needs but also for supporting my beloved family and siblings back home, the weight of financial stress and burden has been immense. However, with the gracious support of this scholarship, it will alleviate the financial stress and burden that I currently face.
With a heart filled with gratitude, I will embrace this scholarship as a catalyst for my growth, a stepping stone towards excellence, and a testament to the unwavering power of perseverance. I am ready to embark on this remarkable journey, armed with the financial support that will help me make a positive impact in my community and beyond. My family and I thank you for your generosity. We are beyond grateful for this scholarship.