Jaleesa Diaz
Class of 2006
Thurgood Marshall Academy
Topic: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Department of Food and Nutrition Services:
Diet Change Study
Presentation (ppt)
Presentation (Powerpoint)
About:
My name is Jaleesa Diaz. I am a student at Thurgood Marshall Academy, and this is my first year attending this program with the Harlem Children Society. I am a sophomore that has always enjoyed Science. I believe that Science is very enjoyable because of the many questions that you ask based on the different and new things that you learn. Throughout the many years that I have attended school all of my science teachers have noticed my strengths in this particular subject. I have always been a focused, independent, and diligent worker, but when it came to science I had a passion and was so determined to know, and inquisitive especially in Biology. I have attended Thurgood Marshall Academy since seventh grade, and my science teacher for my freshmen year, Ms. Sassine noticed my potential. After discussing this program with my teacher, I noticed the opportunity and how good it would look on my college resume.
After I informed my mom about this program, in which I wanted to join my mother was proud that I was looking at doing something useful with my summer and encouraged me to try the program. Then one day I was told by Ms. Sassine to go to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center so that Dr. Sat Bhattacharya could interview me. So after waiting patiently with my fellow peers to be interviewed, we discussed many things our interests and what we would look forward to doing. Then I met Dr. Sat and was interviewed. I enjoyed the interview, I was very comfortable and just spoke about the many thing that I enjoy such as Science and why I would love to attend the program. Dr. Sat seemed impress, but I had confidence that he would be impressed because I am impressed with myself and I believe that if you set your goals high other people will recognize and admire that about you. Dr. Sat kept a smile on his face and that was what I admired most about him. I myself smile a lot, so this was something that I noticed about both of us. While being interviewed I remembered to maintain eye contact, be honest, and respectful. This allowed Dr. Sat to accept me into the program.
I was so proud to know that I had been accepted and I could not wait to get started. I received the information about who my mentor was and was eager to give her a phone call. My mentor was rather busy, but she still made time to meet with me. My mentor is Veronica McLymont; she works at the Food and Nutrition Department at MSKCC. I loved working with her because my mentor and her colleagues provided me with a safe and comfortable environment. I worked on a study that helped a fellow worker at MSKCC a dietitian Ms. Anita Apicello with her study. I learned so many things about the importance of Nutrition for the health of a patient. I also learned simple things, that taught me how to act in a work environment, how to make a great first impression, and many other special things. I enjoyed working there this year and I plan to work there next year as well.
Overall I enjoy the experience and will continue to do so. I appreciate the many things that people have done to help me, I know that the work will pay off, although it already has. I have learnt so much from my mentor, her colleagues, lectures during orientation on how to present, the presentations by other students, and just the wonderful environment. I would recommend that everyone works hard to get into the program and works hard while in the program because it is a learning experience that I am lucky to be apart of. Thank you Dr. Sat, Harlem Children Society, MSKCC, and my mentor Veronica McLymont.