1st Place Winner
My name is Michael Cleveland, a 2017 honor graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Ga. I am a devoted child of God. I attend Walker Tabernacle Baptist Church where I serve God as a Junior Deacon and by being an active member in the music and educational ministries of my church. During my high school experience, I was heavily involved in the Early College program where I attended Atlanta Metropolitan State College and graduated with college credit, as well as The National Beta Club, The Tri-M Music Honor Society, The Marching 100 Band, and Yearbook. Since childhood, watching my mother work as a paramedic I have had the desire to one-day work in the medical field. I devoted 146 hours to volunteering in the E.R. at Grady Health Systems the summer of 2016 which inspired me to want to become an E.R. Physician. I chose to attend Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans where I will major Biology Pre-Med with a Chemistry minor. After I obtain my bachelor’s I will either attend Morehouse School of Medicine or Meharry Medical College for medical school. . I am extremely grateful for this opportunity which will help contribute to my success. Thank you.
1st Place Winner
My name is Michael Cleveland, a 2017 honor graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Ga. I am a devoted child of God. I attend Walker Tabernacle Baptist Church where I serve God as a Junior Deacon and by being an active member in the music and educational ministries of my church. During my high school experience, I was heavily involved in the Early College program where I attended Atlanta Metropolitan State College and graduated with college credit, as well as The National Beta Club, The Tri-M Music Honor Society, The Marching 100 Band, and Yearbook. Since childhood, watching my mother work as a paramedic I have had the desire to one-day work in the medical field. I devoted 146 hours to volunteering in the E.R. at Grady Health Systems the summer of 2016 which inspired me to want to become an E.R. Physician. I chose to attend Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans where I will major Biology Pre-Med with a Chemistry minor. After I obtain my bachelor’s I will either attend Morehouse School of Medicine or Meharry Medical College for medical school. . I am extremely grateful for this opportunity which will help contribute to my success. Thank you.
2nd Place Winner
My name is Eboni Diamond Washington, a native of the South Bronx, New York currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand where I own a vegan soul food pop up shop called Vegan Traphouse. Our sole mission is to promote veganism while raising awareness about Black American culture through food and education. I hold my Bachelors of Arts in Radio-TV-Film from the illustrious Howard University and am now currently enrolled at the University of New England obtaining my Master of Social of Work. While attending Howard, I volunteered with an organization called Lady Me where we mentored and tutored “at-risk” high school females. Since being in Thailand, I was given the opportunity to lead several English camps for Thai students focused on health and environmental conservation. This fall, I will begin my internship with Burmese refugees here in Thailand. My ultimate goal is to become an international social worker and work specifically with oppressed indigenous populations around the world. I believe in the saying "no one is free while others are still oppressed" and cultural competency plays a vital role in positive human interaction. With the help of the Rahman Alim Strum Scholarship, I will be able to continue my venture in helping individuals in various communities achieve better mental, physical, and emotional health. I will be forever grateful for this award.
Congratulations to our 2022 Rahman Alim Strum Scholarship Winners!!!
1st Place Winner
For as long as I can remember I've known what I wanted to do with my life. Science has always been a passion of mine, and medicine in particular has interested me for some time. Dedicating my life to improving the lives of others is very appealing to me.
After attending University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I plan on advancing to medical school to become a physician. I believe medical school will offer me valuable skills that cannot be taught in the classroom. Throughout high school I have taken a rigorous curriculum and maintained a 3.91 grade point average. During high school I was involved in a physician shadowing program called the University of Nebraska Medical Center High School Alliance (UNMC HSA).
In addition, I volunteered at my church, school, and the Stephen’s Center. I am responsible, focused, hard working and easy to get along with. Additionally, I am participating in a freshman study learning community focusing on exploring medical research.
Although I plan on practicing medicine in the United States, I believe that studying the differences between the healthcare systems of underdeveloped nations and that of the United States would benefit me a great deal in the future. It would be a valuable opportunity for me to study abroad and gain first hand experience on their healthcare culture and compare that experience to the clinical exposure I've had in the United States. This scholarship will aid me in using my education to enrich the lives of those around me in healthcare. I hope to eventually combine the best of both worlds
into my medical education and eventual practice. I plan to learn valuable skills that will one day make me a better doctor. Thank you to the Rahman Alim Strum Scholarship. Committee for awarding this scholarship.
2nd Place Winner
Tyler R. Russell graduated from Jule F. Sumner High School, Riverview, FL, May 2022. Graduated in the Top Ten of my senior class.
Currently a freshman at University of Central Florida pursuing a degree in Computer Science Engineering.
My high school clubs and sports participations included: Boys Swim Team; Captain of Swim Team my junior year; member of Senior Students Council; and Computer Club; AICE Program graduate; active within my school and church. Serviced in the Youth Hospitality Ministry at my church. Community Service involvement included: Hillsborough County Public Library; Hillsborough County Classroom Association (CTA); local elementary schools; Lennard High School; Christmas Train; and Youth Ministry at First Baptist Church of Progress Village.
I am self-motivated and self-disciplined; I enjoy giving back and helping others where I can use my leadership skills. I am a member of LEAD Scholars Academy at University of Central Florida, a selective, two-year academic leadership development program for first time-college students. I am committed to academic excellence and making a difference in the world.
3rd Place Winner
Natalya Hall is a recent graduate of Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. Where she maintained a GPA of a 3.5 or higher while holding down a part time job.
She was involved with the Step Team in high school which won the State championships in 2020 Natalya also attended Cosmetology school while in high school as well and passed the State Board licensing test and is now a licensed Cosmetologist.
Natalya applied to various schools but in the end decided to attend Prairie View A & M University where she will study Business Administration and Finance. She was also accepted to the college's Summer Bridge Program where she will get a jump start to her classes for the fall.
Natalya aspires to obtain her college degree in Business and Finance and take her college degree and her Cosmetology license and open up her own business.