Georjelis Rujano's senior year has been anything but ordinary.
This 2019 awardee knew the first day of her final year at Science Leadership Academy - Center City (SLA) would be in a new building. What she couldn't have foreseen was a delayed opening because of construction issues, an unexpected fall removal due to construction-related asbestos issues, and school shuttering again—for the rest of the year—a mere month after she and her classmates finally took occupancy in their new home.
Because of COVID-19, Georjelis will miss many of the anticipated milestones of senior year: celebrating college acceptances, attending prom, presenting her capstone project, graduating en masse, and saying good-bye to her school family and friends.
Georjelis doesn't dwell on the downside. It's not her M.O. She's always there with a positive message and a reminder that good things are ahead. We were excited to be the ones assuming this role when we learned her first-choice college, Franklin & Marshall College, accepted her into their Class of 2024. Since hugs, high fives and fist bumps are off limits right now, we had to settle for a Zoom Q&A session.
Q. Georjelis, congrats! How did you decide where to apply?
A. My mentor Justina and I talked about the characteristics that were important to me. I wanted a small to medium class where I could really know my teacher. I also thought about the distance from my family. I knew I didn’t want to be far. F&M is about one hour away from Philadelphia.
Q. You attended F&M's Collegiate Leadership Summit in the fall. What interested you about this summit?
A. The summit offers high school seniors two nights on campus. I attended with other students from around the U.S. We were there to learn about the college and to see the campus and the academic, social, and self aspects of student life. I really like that the campus is small. And the campus is close to a farmers market. It's cool to have a view of a lifestyle different from one's own. The summit helped me pick this college. I met amazing alums, counselors, and underclassmen who made me feel welcome and at home. After all these experiences, I knew I wanted to go to F&M.
Q. How did JMB Award help you in your college application and decision-making process?
A. I first heard of F&M last summer when Fran Melmed, JMB Award's founder, mentioned she went there. I searched Franklin & Marshall to learn more about the school and I stumbled on the application for the Leadership Summit. I asked Fran to nominate me for the summit.
Our JMB Award sessions on college 101 and financial aid also help. This is where we learn how to review financial aid award letters, write an appeal for more aid, and learn about other things to be aware of now so the future is not as troublesome financially. But what I really find helpful through everything is the community of powerful and striving women. It’s very inspiring and motivating to be in this community, and to have a community to depend on during ups and downs.
Q. What are your summer plans?
A. I'm going to search for scholarships to decrease the gap between what aid I got and what I'll need for college for the year. I'm looking for a job and volunteer work with different organizations. I’ll also be focusing on my nonprofit to distribute more nonperishable foods and medical supplies to the people in Venezuela! (Note: Georjelis founded the nonprofit La Luz De Aurora in honor of her grandmother. She was invited to pitch her nonprofit at a youth expo and the Braskem Capstone Acelerator, a partnership between Braskem and SLA. Braskem elected to fund Georjelis' continued work with La Luz De Aurora.)