Scholar of the Week

LaShawn Blackston of Richmond Community High School

by Janeal Downs

Lashawn Blackston wants the community to know that she is a caring and loving person. As a self-motivated person, vcialis 40mg order she wants to one day use her skills to empower other people. With her interest for helping others out, salve Blackston’s family, many who went to school for nursing, encouraged her to go into the field as well. “The reason why I want to be in the medical field is because I get great satisfaction out of caring and helping others out,” Blackston stated in an essay. Because of this interest, she plans to continue her education to become a certified Registered Nurse of Anesthetists.

In order to accomplish her goals, Blackston plans to attend a four-year institution after graduating high school because she believes “that the key to success and living a better life is knowledge.” Her top choice for college is Virginia Commonwealth University. The university’s reputable nursing program, and the fact that it is local, is what makes VCU so appealing to her. In the past, Blackston attended a health and science program at the university which is when she first became interested in the school.

Blackston attends Richmond Community High School where she currently has a 3.8 GPA. While in school she has already gained a lot of experience helping others through community service, one of her favorite things to do. “I just have a passion for it, I like doing it. It’s just natural to me,” Blackston said. She has done a range of community service for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Circle Center Adult Day Services, Virginia Rep Children’s Theatre, the Richmond Police Department and South Park Mall. She has also helped with food drives and a freshman orientation where she participated in activities with incoming high school freshmen. Other than volunteering, Blackston’s other favorite thing to do outside of school is to dance.

Blackston aspires to one day come up with a medical program to help eliminate people being uninsured or lacking medical care. “By having the medical program, I would want more individuals to have the proper medical attention to be healthier,” Blackston stated. She is also interested in going beyond the medical field by having discussions with people within her community. She wants to use these discussions as ways to inform people about life skills and what it takes to be healthier.

With all of her dreams and aspirations, Blackston’s mother is one of her biggest influences. “She’s a motivating person and she always brings me up,” Blackston said. “She always makes sure that I do the right thing.” With the support of her mother and other family members, Blackston feels that being able to accomplish her goals will help her feel accomplished and even save other people’s lives.