FRANCESCA VARELA-SERI
HIGH SCHOOL: Phillipsburg High School
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY: Wilkes University
MAJOR: Neuroscience & Physical Therapy
GRADUATION YEAR: 2020
EMPLOYER: Currently attending grad school at Univ. of Pittsburgh
I think about when I was a senior in high school and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue my education or not, mainly due to my financial circumstances. When the opportunity became available, I then second guessed myself in my ability to succeed in the education world. If it weren’t for both the financial and most importantly, the emotional help that I received from BEST, I truly wouldn’t be where I am today. Thanks to them and my amazing mentor, I am further continuing my education at the University of Pittsburgh for my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
I cannot even put into words how grateful and thankful I am for all that BEST did for me. They always made me feel like I can run the world with their words of encouragement during my college career. Over the course of four years, they built my confidence like you wouldn’t believe. Due to that, I challenged myself in not only my education, but in my extracurricular activities.
The most incredible part about this program is the message that they are trying to portray. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of BEST is the phrase, “pay it forward.” Pay it forward in whatever way you can, whether it’s being a mentor, donating money for scholarships or attending the annual events and getting to know more people. Once you are in BEST, you are part of not only a community, but a family. So now it’s my turn to guide others. It’s my turn to help others. It’s my turn, to pay it forward.