AP Photo
17-year-old Samantha Garvey is in the running for a national prestigious science award. 300 teenagers across the country have been named this year as semifinalists in the Intel science competition; so Samantha is, indeed, a member of a select group. But I wonder how many of these intelligent, dedicated, and creative kids also have been homeless?
Samantha’s family has experienced hard times since her mother a nurse’s assistant was involved in a car accident. Because her father’s salary had not been enough to keep up with the bills, the family was evicted from their rental home over the holidays. This is not the first time the Garvey’s have had to live in a homeless shelter.
In spite of her family’ problems Samantha has stayed focused on her goal to become a marine biologist. She has spent more than two years studying the effects of an Asian crab population on the mussels in a local marsh.
Clearly, the teenager hasn’t allowed her family’s economic problems to dampen her hopes for a brighter future. Samantha, a high school senior, has applied to several Ivy League universities.
Whether she wins the Intel award or gains acceptance to Brown or Yale, Samantha has already received one piece of good news. The county’s social services agency has found a home for her family to rent at subsidized rents.
Samantha’s story like my Jan. 10 story about Lateefah Simon are evidence that teenagers can be accomplished when they have the mind to accomplish something. Adults who harbor negative stereotypes of teenagers and young adults are no less disrespectful and hurtful than those who maintain them about senior citizens. Adults need to be more mindful that the issues of the day (i.e., a sluggish economy, a contracted job market, overstretched social services, and an increase in the working poor) affects everyone including the young. Let’s support each other and find inspiration and hope in those who rise about their situation.
To read more inspirational stories about women buy my book Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women’s Stories on Amazon.com.
2 Comments
January 23, 2012 at 2:41 pm
What an inspiration she is!
January 23, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I agree, Maureen. Samantha is definitely an inspiration. She is also a great example why it is inaccurate to stereotype teenagers as unmotivated, uninterested, and immature.