It has been over a year since I’ve posted, and I apologize. Though now that I’m back, here’s an update on my life.
I am now 17 years old and a senior in high school!
My best friend Janet and I on our first day of senior year.
Overview of 2017
January 21, 2017 – The Women’s March on Washington
My Drama Club Family (2016-2017): The production was a musical filled with songs from the motown era and a select number of present day songs in African-American culture, the name of the production was: “Motown and Mo!”
June 18, 2017- A picture from a trip I took with my family to New York, it is of the United States flag next to the LGBT flag. I find this picture special because it’s a reminder of our changing society.
A candid picture of me analyzing Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork. I spent an hour examining and taking notes of his six paintings that are in the museum. Fun Fact: I screamed with joy when I learned that the National Gallery of Art had some of Van Gogh’s work.My dog on Christmas day.
Summary of 2018…So Far
March 6, 2018: My first time holding a brain, thanks to the Young Women in Bio program that I was able to be a part of. Side note: It was a monkey brain.
March 24, 2018: March For Our Lives. This was such an empowering day, I am so proud to be a part of Generation Z, we’re speaking up and we won’t be silenced. My Drama Club Family (2017-2018): This picture was taken after rehearsing the opening and closing numbers of the show, which was a musical tribute to Michael Jackson entitled: “Can You Feel It?-Michael Jackson the Musical”
Summer 2018
This summer I interned at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as an OCE Summer Scholar. I learned a lot about the field of oncology such as cancer treatments, cancer research, and cancer advocate organizations. I also learned about the medical field as a whole and the drug development pathway. Furthermore, this internship allowed for me to meet incredible people and go to amazing places. For example, myself and my peers in the program met the staffers of senators like Elizabeth Warren and representatives from Kids v. Cancer. Lastly, a requirement of the program is to give a three to five minute presentation and mine was entitled, “Ethics Involving CAR-T Cell Therapy,” I managed to combine my love for philosophy with my interest in gene therapy and Leukemia.
To conclude, this internship was a phenomenal and eye-opening experience, myself and my peers were able to do so many things and were exposed to many amazing people and environments. It was a wonderful way of spending my summer and it made me appreciate and love science even more than I already did.
Pictures from my internship:
The trip to ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology).Me completing one of the last assignments of the internship: Writing down people and organizations that are finding a cure for cancer.
Another major part of my summer was being a bridesmaid in my Aunt’s wedding, and the milestone in this experience is the fact that it was my first time every being in a wedding/a part of the wedding party. However, I am not going to put up any pictures because it was a private event.
My Life Now
It is now autumn, my favorite season, and school has been in session for almost a month. With that said, I am currently a research intern at Bowie State University and my research involves the blood-brain barrier. I have also started applying for colleges and the excitement to graduate high school and start a new chapter is already coursing through my veins. Though in spite of this, I am cherishing every single day of my senior year and making the most of it.
You’re not always going to have it figured out. We were all placed here with a purpose that’s our own and it will take time to discover it.
Though what helps is praying to God and spending time with yourself.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Life is a journey and you have your own path. Open up the book of your being and become educated on yourself.
The world needs love and with open arms we should all accept love despite how different it is from our own. This month is about celebrating people who don’t love how “they’re supposed to”, because there is not a single way to love.
My name is Alexis Jefferson, I’m currently 15 years old, and I love to write. Writing poetry is one of my passions, being able to pour myself into my words is beautiful, and I love it. This website is dedicated to my work and other thoughts. I needed a platform to share my poetry on, so here it is.
My Truth Poetry 