Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 Fedna admitted to prestigious BaccMD program at UMass Medical School W By Christopher Roberson orking full time as a CVS pharmacy technician, Everett resident Shakira Fedna, a student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, was tempted to drop her major course of study in biology and switch to public health. However, Professor Khalilah Reddie convinced Fedna to scale back her work hours and continue focusing on biology. “I was working so much trying to pay for school that half the time I didn’t even know why I was doing what I was doing,” said Fedna. “I went into biology because I love biology and I knew if I opted out of it, I’d be disappointed in myself. So I decided to stick with it.” Her perseverance paid off, as Fedna was recently accepted into the elite Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program (BaccMD) at UMass Medical School. The program is designed for first-generation college students as well as for students with financial difficulties. In preparation for the Medical College Admission Test, the BaccMD introduces students to various medical specialties. This is accomplished through residential summer programs, a monthly book group and physics instruction. Fedna’s dive into healthcare began when she started working at Walgreens while she was a student at Everett High School. “I witnessed a lot of emergency situations and I wanted to be the person who could help in those situations,” she said. From there, she developed a growing desire to become a pharmacy technician and began asking area drug stores if they had openings and if they were willing to put her through the arduous twoweek course required for pharmacy work. After a time, CVS in Medford gave Fedna a chance. “I was so determined to get the job because I really wanted to learn,” she said. “I knew that being a pharmacy tech would help me understand the reasons for prescriptions and I knew that would help me when I become a doctor.” The River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) is what drew Fedna to UMass Lowell. “I felt ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.819 Mid Unleaded $2.919 Super $3.079 Diesel Fuel $3.049 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.859 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS Aluminum Everett 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 63 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 60 •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roofing •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roofing • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum Shakira Fedna of Everett, a biology major at UMass Lowell, has been accepted into UMass Medical School’s BaccMD program. (Photo Courtesy of UMass Lowell) like I could find somewhere to fi t in and meet people with similar stories and similar backgrounds who could help me understand and navigate higher education, because I didn’t have anybody at home who could help me do that,” she said. “It’s more than what I hoped for. I love the RHSA, all the faculty, all the students: It’s literally like a family. Everybody you come into contact with in the RHSA wants to see you succeed.” Fedna went on to become a peer leader in the RHSA, taking 10 freshmen biology students under her wing. In addition, Fedna became a licensed Emergency Medical Technician while she was home during the COVID-19 quarantine. Back on campus, Fedna is a member of the Haitian American Students Association, the Association of Students of African Origin and the Medical Profession Admission Gap Initiative and Collaboration proFEDNA | SEE PAGE 9 Erin Bessler named to Dean’s List at Quinnipiac University H AMDEN, Conn. – Erin Bessler of Everett was named to the Dean's List at Quinnipiac University for the spring 2021 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 with no grade lower than C. Full-time students must complete at least 14 credits in a semester, with at MHERST–The following Everett residents were named to the Dean’s List at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the spring 2021 semester: Daniella Alexandra Alvarez, Brenda Meneses Cordeiro, Nyomi L. Dottin, Victoria Marie Du, Brenda Amaral Genium, David Joseph Gertz, Shermarie C. Hyppolite, Giselle Beatriz Lemus Tejada, Fatima L. Lopez, Nayelle Doriane Louis, Ayush Manandhar, Monika least 12 credits that have been graded on a letter grade basis to be eligible. Part-time students must complete at least six credits during a semester. Everett residents named to Dean’s List at UMass Amherst A Summer is Here! Mendes, Sabrina Lisbeth Moreta, Dylan Michael O'Leary, Marisol Palencia Pinto, Lavisha Saini and Molly Solano. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average to qualify for the Dean’s List. Prices subject to change Have a Happy & Safe Summer! FLEET
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