SARATOGA SPRINGS – Adriana Murphy is the type of young adult you would want your child to emulate. A leader in the classroom (now a senior with a solid 3.5 GPA), at the time we sat down she had been accepted to ten out of ten colleges she applied to, with one pending…
Here’s a news flash. Make it eleven for eleven.
That alone qualifies her to be Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar’s Scholar of the Month. That, and her clear concept of where she will be headed. “I’m looking to major in Psychology, with a minor in Biology,” Adriana says. “I want to get my MD, and practice Psychiatry.” She’s already mastered the balance between confidence and swagger. There’s no bragging here at all. But an implied promise to herself and to you, that she will always give her best effort, and like the motivational poster she and Saratoga Springs High School Counselor Matt Nelson and Adriana posed in front of – she will never give up.
But like many of these excellent individuals, they are distinguished by what they do as much outside the classroom, as in it. In service to the community and giving back. And Adriana is no exception. “I work at Project Lift (a program from Franklin Community Center) each week. Also, I work with second through sixth graders at Geyser Road Elementary in various remedial programs.” She said. But we’re just getting started. “Every summer, I’m a counselor at Abundant Life Church’s Adventure Camp.” Then there are the events she volunteers at, along with a contingent of her fellow Scholars. Adriana particularly enjoyed the Great Pumpkin Challenge at Spa State Park, which benefits Saratoga Bridges.
But here’s the thing: Adriana does all this – a full boat of classes, volunteering everywhere, and yet also holds down a part-time position as a cashier at Hannaford – averaging 25 hours a week!
But even with all that drive, and ability, Adriana knows that it was the structure provided by Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar’s program that gave her the leg up to achieve excellence. “The (SSAS) program enabled me to have experiences I never could have had,” she said. “I got the important help I needed to prepare for the SAT, and for college visits (did I mention she was 11 for 11 in acceptances?) My mentor – Holly Lawton – gave me a great perspective about the outside world – she got me to learn about art by our visits to the museums at Skidmore, and what it means to be extremely focused and directed.”
It’s not very hard to visualize Adriana imparting the same drive, the zest for achievement tempered by humility and gratitude, to the next generation of leaders that follow her.
Oops – excuse me. That would be Dr. Adriana by then.
Saratoga Sponsor-a-Scholar levels the economic playing field, allowing horizons to be broadened, and future leaders to emerge – regardless of financial circumstances. For more Scholarly information about how you can support these leaders of tomorrow, visit SaratogaSponsorAScholar.org. Planet Arthur is proud to have SSAS as a sponsor, and delighted to feature a future leader in our community each month.
Arthur Gonick
May 1, 2018
