Oster Scholar Cohort: 2021-22
Summit School: Shasta
Four-Year College Pathway: San Jose State University
Field of Study: Sociology, Race, and Ethnic Studies
Embodying Summit’s Core Values:
“Michelle has taken a deep interest in children's psychology and welfare, showing curiosity about the state of Child Protective Services' work and those systems that impact her community. She is deeply compassionate toward her peers, always offering to help her classmates with whatever she can, and shows an even greater sense of compassion toward her community members by pursuing a challenging career that can significantly impact the well-being of children in her service area. Michelle is also one of the kindest, most empathetic people I have met in this school community. She would never dream of treating another human being with anything other than the utmost respect…”
-Nominator
About the Oster Scholar:
My name is Michelle Onofre, and I am a recent graduate from Summit Shasta. I will attend San Jose State University while majoring in Sociology, Race, and Ethnic Studies with my focus on pursuing Social Worker. The reason why I want to be a Social worker is to help children in our communities in the foster care system to have safe environments since there are many broken-up families in this country that need that help and support. That being said, having to grow up in a difficult environment changes your outlook on life from a young age, and the trauma that you went through in your childhood makes you overthink and develop barriers. Yet, once you get the chance and space to prove to yourself that you can break that cycle, having resources and a guiding hand can make a difference.