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For the first time, Reaching for the Stars Afterschool is offering scholarships to some of its summer interns. The scholarships, as pointed out by Flora Brooks, founder and director of Reaching for the Stars Afterschool, were made possible by a private donor who saw a need for the scholarships and wanted to help some of the students go to college. “It’s an opportunity to make a real difference in young people’s lives at a pivotal moment,” said Brooks. “When you provide scholarships alongside internships, you’re not just offering work experience – you’re opening doors that might otherwise remain closed due to financial constraints. This creates a ripple effect of opportunity. Students who might have spent their summer in survival jobs instead get to explore their career interests, build professional skills, and make connections that could last a lifetime. For many, it might be their first taste of what their chosen field actually looks like day-to-day, helping them refine their goals or discover new passions.”

18-year-old Kimberly Ramirez Mendoza already has her sights set on speech language pathology and will be attending ECU in August of this year after being accepted into the honors program. “This is a very exciting and nerve-racking time for me,” said Mendoza. “I’m the first person in my family to ever go to college. I’m the first from my immediate family to graduate from high school. I’m also a first-generation American in my family. It means a lot to receive the scholarship and the opportunity to intern at Reaching for the Stars Afterschool as I enter the next chapter in my life.”

Mendoza said working with the 3rd through 5th graders over the summer will help her determine whether she would like to work in a home or clinical setting, helping pediatric patients. 

Alexis Flynn’s dream is to one day attend Harvard. But should that not happen, she is also looking at UNC and ECU. Her goal is to become either a pediatric intensive care physician or a special education teacher for children with disabilities. “This summer I’m working with the first graders and helping them with the things they struggle with, like spelling and math,” said Flynn. “It warms my heart to be able to help children who are struggling to do better and know that when they go back to school in the Fall, they can use some of the things I taught them. I’m also very appreciative of the scholarship as it will help me with the purchase of books for college.”

Brooks added that the internships are an opportunity to shape the next generation of professionals in her field. “You get to witness those ‘lightbulb moments’ when theoretical knowledge clicks into practical understanding. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching someone gain confidence, develop their voice in meetings, or tackle challenges they never thought they could handle. And the scholarships are creating pathways for talented individuals regardless of their economic background.”

Reaching for the Stars After School serves at-risk youth in Washington. The children, who range in ages from 6-12, are often dealing with a wide range of issues, from failing grades to behavioral and emotional issues such as a lack of confidence and self-esteem. For more information about the program, Brooks can be contacted directly at 252-940-5777.