FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Laia Mitchell. I'm an enthusiastic and energetic person and very passionate about school and life. I'm majoring in chemistry to become a pharmacist. I plan to get my real estate license as well and start my own real estate and marketing agency. I played six different sports in high school and plan to play two of them in college. I play golf, flag football, and football, and I also basketball cheer, run track, and dance. I plan to play golf and flag football in college. In my free time, I read books and listen to true crime podcasts. I color and paint and do science experiments like make slime. I hang out with my friends and we eat, go shopping, and just have a good time. I'm outgoing and sometimes shy but love to learn new things.
FOSSI: Why are you passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field?
I found my love for chemistry in 8th grade right before Covid-19. In 10th grade, my chemistry teacher helped me find my passion for chemistry. I love STEM. I want to show other young African American girls that they can do anything they put their mind to — especially in the STEM field because it offers so many opportunities for us.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Receiving the FOSSI scholarship means a lot to me because I’ve seen firsthand the financial struggles and student loan debt my parents faced, and I’ve always hoped to take a different path. I’m highly motivated to succeed and am working hard to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. My goal is to build a strong future for myself while making my parents proud, and this scholarship helps ease the financial burden so I can stay focused on those goals.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
- I play six sports.
- I thrift and go shopping.
- I'm the oldest of 14 grandchildren and 7 siblings.
- I love science and math and history.
- My favorite color is orange.
- My first dream was to be a fashion designer and start my own clothing line.
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