Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine November 2017 | Page 14
A Sisterhood That Will Last Forever
By: Shannon Burke, CHPC
Executive Director
Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters
[email protected]
hard work would pay off. A month later, Emily received an
academic scholarship to the University and declared pre-
pharmacy as her major.
Little Sister Emily waited for months before being
matched with a mentor. Raised by her father and
following the death of her Grandmother, Emily’s Dad
knew she needed a female role model in life and signed
her up with Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Emily was a sophomore at Ball High School when she was
matched with Big Sister Cecilia. “When the day finally
came, I was nervous to meet her. Luckily we clicked, the
conversation kept rolling and our first outing together
went great.” As a fourth-year medical student at UTMB,
Cecilia dedicated her limited free time to Emily. They got
to know each other over coffee and studying together.
“We used to watch Netflix and bake cookies; it’s one of
my favorite moments of us being together. We both felt
so at ease, we had wonderful conversation and a bunch
of laughs and smiles,” said Emily.
Cecilia found that being a mentor simply meant being a
friend. Their friendship continued to blossom and Emily
never doubted that Cecilia would be there for her. She
attended her band concerts, football games, even her
National Honor Society induction. “She was always there
in the crowd. She really invested into the relationship
because that’s the type of person she is.”
When Emily began thinking about her future beyond
high school, Cecilia challenged her to turn her can’t into
can, and her dreams into plans. With her heart set on
attending The University of St. Thomas – Houston, Emily
knew she needed a high ACT score to be accepted. Big
Sister Cecelia purchased books for Emily to study from
and consistently encouraged her with the belief that her
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MOMENTUM / November 2017
Emily was also the recipient of the Gulf Coast Big Brothers
Big Sisters Betty Schocke Scholarship. It is awarded to
Littles in the program who best demonstrate how having a
Big impacted their decision to further their education. She
credits her Big Sister with receiving the scholarships,
saying, “I would never have gotten any of that without her
belief in me and kindness.”
“I am immensely proud of all that she has accomplished
and will continue to accomplish. I admire how Emily is
resilient, humble and kind. She continues to overcome
each obstacle and challenge that she faces. I know she will
go on to accomplish great things and make a difference in
the lives of others,” says Cecilia.
Emily plans on becoming a Community Pharmacist or
Pharmaceutical Manager. Her other future goals include
one day getting married and starting a family, who will be
seen by the soon-to-be-Pediatrician, Cecelia. “I keep in
contact with Cecilia, and I forever will. Due to Big Brothers
and Big Sisters I have gained a sisterhood that will last
forever.”