Empower Samaria's Educational Journey

Hello, my name is Zakiya and I am the proud mother of a brilliant, kind, funny, and competitive young lady. Please read her message below.

Hi,

My name is Samaria Miller, and I am a 14-year-old freshman from a rural town in North Carolina. I am top in my class with a GPA of 4.25 having already completed Math I & II, Biotech I and APES. I am the only 9th grader to earn A-Honor Roll this quarter. And if you can’t tell, I am super competitive. I have two basketball championships, a state track championship, and a few attempts at a volleyball championship under my belt. I also manage the football team.

I plan to major in Animal Sciences as an undergraduate and continue my studies to become an Aquatic Veterinarian. I would also like to become a certified Doula. Imagine tagging a great white during the day and delivering a baby in the evening! That’s what I’m working towards.

Last summer, I spent a week at Harvard as a participant in the Pre-Med: Biology Pre-College Harvard Academies program. This year, I have been accepted for Cohort II, Pre-Med: Anatomy and Physiology. I have also been accepted into the UCONN Pre-College Climate Science Program, and the Sea Education Association SEA Expedition Program. My mom said that I have to choose 2/3, which is easier said than done.

The SEA Expedition is top on my list. I will spend 11-days on a Marine Research Vessel performing every duty on-board from tagging animals to water sampling, cooking, and ship watch. I’ve been awarded a $5000 scholarship. I have also been awarded a $400 scholarship to Harvard Academies. I am still waiting to hear back on potential scholarship funding from UCONN. Their program is $3800.

My mom is a teacher which basically means she makes no money. We’ve already put down the deposit for the SEA Expedition program, but we need help with the rest. We estimate the total costs of 2/3 programs will be $3000. This does not include transportation. The plan is to drive to either Harvard or UCONN as those programs are earlier in the summer (July) and fly back and forth to Woods Hole for the SEA Program in August. Because school starts August 1, my mom will need to book one roundtrip flight for me, and two for herself.

Our goal is to raise $5000-$6000 to cover the remaining costs of the programs along with flights and food. My mom works part-time at a hotel, so she already receives a substantial discount for that.

Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated. I will post pictures and updates from all my programs.

UPDATE: We are only $800 away from our goal. Please share the post. $5,$10,$15 helps! Everything counts.

Thank you for your support.

Sami