Malelia Tucker is a natural born leader, as the captain of the majorettes in her school band and manager of the boys wrestling team. She excels academically as well as in her extracurricular activities. As a senior attending Petersburg High School, Tucker has an overall GPA of 3.08 and is in the top percentile of her class while she participates in outside activities.
“Malelia is an excellent student who is conscientious and serious about her work,” Gary Ingram, her physics instructor said in a recommendation letter.
Tucker volunteers at local nursing homes and is also heavily involved in her church community at Little Bethel Baptist Church.
Tucker comes from a family of caregivers; with the majority of the women in her family holding jobs in the nursing profession. However, none have gone on to become registered nurse. She says she plans to be a registered nurse because caring for people is one of her passions. “I’ve always had a passion for nursing,” Tucker said. “It’s my goal to become (a registered nurse).”
Tucker has been volunteering at several nursing homes and hospitals since 2009. She said this is how becoming a registered nurse became her career goal. “I want to become a registered nurse because I love helping people,” Tucker wrote in an application letter.
Tucker said she would like to work at the health department, helping young teens and mothers who need guidance or someone to talk to. She said her own experience with nurses fueled this desire.
Tucker plans on fulfilling this goal by majoring in nursing while attending college. But before moving on to college she must graduate high school and like any graduating senior, she is very excited to do so. “I can’t wait to walk across the stage,” she said. “(I can’t wait to) have everyone screaming for me.”
Currently, Tucker is working as a nurse aide through Care Advantage Inc., gaining experience working with patients as well as hands-on experience in her future career field.
In the fall of 2013, Tucker will be attending Virginia State University and majoring in its nursing program. Even though she was accepted into several other universities, Tucker said she’s visited VSU so many times, she felt as if she’s already a student, so it felt like the right choice. While at VSU, she plans to continue with her nursing career and her marching band experience by becoming part of the Trojan Explosion marching band as a majorette.
Tucker said she ultimately wants to touch lives through caring for others and to see her younger brother follow in her footsteps. She will be the first person in her family to attend college. She said this will be a big accomplishment for her family. She attributes her success to her friends and family who have constantly pushed her to do better and to reach her goals.
-Laquita Jacobs
