Dreaming Big
Student of the Week: Emily Lara
If you have a dream no matter how challenging or long that career might be, shoot for the stars because anything worth doing is going to be challenging and the years are going to pass by anyway.
With a desire to make a difference in the lives of others, Emily Lara says she wants to be the change that she herself wishes to see in the world.
A high school senior at Progreso High School, Emily plans to graduate this May from South Texas College’s Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) with an associate degree in Biology.
A recent recipient of the UTRGV Luminary Scholarship, awarded to the brightest incoming college freshmen, Emily says the award will cover her entire undergraduate degree as well as her first four years of medical school.
In the future, Emily said she will devote her talents to a career in pediatrics with a focus on assisting impoverished communities in the Valley.
“I aspire to become a pediatrician, because from a very young age I have always loved helping people and as I got older my passion for helping others has slowly grown,” she said. “I love children and they are the future of tomorrow, and I would love to be able to give back to my community which has helped me so much. I want to become a pediatrician and stay here in the Valley in order to help the poor communities that can't afford to see a doctor.”
STC’s associate of science degree with a field of study in Biology offers students the opportunity to take a core curriculum of general education courses that lead to many exciting career opportunities that are available in the biological sciences, but most of which require a post-graduate degree.
Careers include those in the health sciences, medicine, pharmacology, veterinary science, agriculture, dentistry, medical research and many more.
Emily said she participated in as many extra-curricular activities as possible and served as president of Student Council, president of the Creative Writer's Club, Class President (2018-2021), vice-president of the Medical Health Career's Club, Drama, UIL, marching band and National Honor Society all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA at STC.
"If you have a dream no matter how challenging or long that career might be, shoot for the stars because anything worth doing is going to be challenging and the years are going to pass by anyway,” Emily said. “Dream big and work hard, and if you truly love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Always do the work and everything else will fall into place.”