Beyond The Nest is a feature that reaches out to WYWLA  graduates and interviews them to 

provide insights about their college or professional experiences.

This month we spotlight Sumera Southerland and Janae Bell!

What year did you graduate from WYWLA?

2016

How long were you at WYWLA?

10th-12th (3 years)

Why did you choose WYWLA? What were some things you had in mind to get out of WYWLA? Did you? Who were your biggest influences at WYWLA?

• My mother worked here and brought my sisters, my brother, and I to the Wake Leadership Academies

• Biggest Faculty Influences were my mother (Dr. Terry), Mrs. Watkins, Ms. Franz, and Mr. Watkins.  They have all encouraged me in and outside of WYWLA. 

• Most of my influences came from my graduating class from Imani, Monquette, Teresa, Nick, Jerry, Yahnae, and so many others.

What are some of the biggest lessons you learned at WYWLA?

To learn on the fly/on the job training.  We had to figure things out as we went.  Each semester was different and we had faculty come and go, so we had to get used to new environments, new expectations, and developing new ideas/plans for you all the future classes.  As WYWLA and WYMLA we worked together and relied on each other and we created and did some great things

• Powderpuff Football

• Service Project

• Partnered with Conn Elementary to teach kids science

• Partnered with Museum of Natural Sciences

• She Leads Conference

• Prom

What were you involved in during your high school years? 

I was involved in the National Honor Society

Approximately how many college credits did you earn through our partnership with St. Augustine’s University?

About 44 credits were transferable to UNC-Chapel Hill.

Why did you choose a Mathematics major?

Major in Mathematics (BA), since the 8th grade I’ve known that I was really good at math and I enjoyed it.  I also wanted to help others so I was a tutor for the majority of my life.  I tutored independently and with other national/state programs.  I’m still tutoring to this day.  I wanted to use math to help others and decided to try business consulting, which I believe is just tutoring businesses how to be more effective and efficient, so I went to get my Masters in Business Analytics at Elon University Love Business School.

What advice would you offer to our 6th grade OWLS, 9th grade OWLS, and our senior OWLS?

• Use Discernment, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.  

• Be genuinely You

• Be Coachable,  which is something that can’t be taught but is very valuable to growth.  It includes humility, respect, effort, and persistence.

• You can be Loud or  you can be wrong, but try not to be both.  Instead Learn for yourself (I.e., do your own research and make sure you understand what your learning)

• Senior OWLs as you are entering the world try and learn from each class, school, role, job.  Whether learning what to do or reminding yourself of what not to do.  You don’t want to repeat the same mistakes but learn from them and teach those after you.

What do you do in your spare time?

• Tutor students (preK- College) Math

• Sudoku, board games, card games

• Have fun with my family

• Monster Hunter and Fort Nite

What colleges did you apply to/get accepted? Why did you choose your university?

• UNC Chapel Hill

• UNC Pembroke

• Queens University

• Spelman College

• Wake Forest University

• Campbell University

I chose UNC because they gave me the best scholarship and it didn’t hurt that I am Tarheel born and bred.

How did high school prepare you for college? 

• It gave a trial run for the real thing.  

• Leading your education by figuring out your schedule, your classes, what professors to take, etc.

• Learning as you go, I became used to being moved around and having to keep up

What was your impression of life in college? What was your college experience like?

• College was a bigger high school.  

• My freshman year was fun and it helped that we had won the NCAA Championship that year.  I met and lived with some nice people, tried some new food, attending new and interesting classes.

• My favorite classes weren’t even in my major.  Ex: I took a German Opera class and it was fun and enlightening

• I spent the rest of my time getting all my credits so I could graduate early and I did.  

What have you  done after graduating from college?  (professionally/ personally).

• I worked at a cancer center where I met my now husband, Anthony, while attending Grad School at Elon University where I got my MSBA in Business Analytics 

• Tutoring still and volunteering  

• Currently I am an Assistant Vice President Senior Auditor at Bank of America with a certification in Alteryx

What year did you graduate from WYWLA?

2021

How long were you at WYWLA?

From 2014, 6th - 12th

Why did you choose WYWLA? What were some things you had in mind to get out of WYWLA? Did you? Who were your biggest influences at WYWLA?

I was excited to go to WYWLA so that I could feel empowered while learning about the world with a close knit group of people. I think the mission was accomplished. I still keep in touch with so many people from the academies. We all can - and have - said that the school helped us learn about the real world in tangible, thoughtful ways. 

I can recount pretty much all of my teachers at WYWLA - they all meant a lot to me, my friends, classmates, and family. I can truly say that my passion for education comes from the excitement I had in Spanish with Mr. di Carlo, Girls Leadership Class, or Social Studies with Dr. Terry.  However, Ms. Wormald, my APES teacher, and Mrs. Watkins were two of the largest influences to me. I was not the best student in science, but Ms. Wormald never gave up on motivating me and inspired me with wise words that stick with me today when I am down. Mrs. Watkins also encouraged me through conversation. She inspired curiosity about the world around me and highlighted my strengths. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you learned at WYWLA?

I didn’t realize this lesson immediately, but over time I have realized that a huge lesson I learned from WYWLA is to be earnest in whatever it is that you do. I definitely complained and procrastinated while I was in class about the work I had to do. However, projects in GLC inspired curiosity and critical thinking, and we were all held to a high standard. This means that good enough could always be better, but not in a way that was unattainable. 

What were you involved in during your high school years? 

I was involved in Junior Civitan with Dr. Terry and Ms. Watkins. 

Approximately how many college credits did you earn through our partnership with St. Augustine’s University?

I’m not sure off the top of my head, and I don’t have access to my transcript. However, I was able to graduate college in three years.

Why did you choose a History major? Did you always want to be a teacher?

I chose to become a History, Secondary Education major. I have been passionate about school and becoming a teacher since my childhood, but I truly committed to it in high school after my positive experiences at WYWLA. I think being able to develop strong relationships with my teachers inspired me to do the same. 

What advice would you offer to our 6th grade OWLS, 9th grade OWLS, and our senior OWLS?

To each group, do your work!  It all pays off in the end and you shouldn’t form that habit.  

To my 6th graders, embrace the experience at WYWLA! Go to the events, join a club, participate and learn on Day of the Girl. It may seem unfamiliar or uninteresting, but it’s a unique opportunity that will really help develop your outlook on life. 

To my 9th graders, be comfortable getting to know other people outside of your circle or your classes.  Take the career networking opportunities seriously as well, it’s great practice and helps your confidence when you’re out of the nest. Meet people at other schools through their sports or other events. I especially valued meeting those at WYMLA. Some of my closest friends went there. It also helps make the transition to early college much smoother.

Seniors, keep in touch with your friends because after graduation everyone will have their hands full with life. It is important to remember those connections you formed in the middle of all of it! If you plan to go to college, have fun and stay focused. Try out lots of different activities or even classes before settling on a major. There are so many unique “elective” classes out there. For example, one of my friends got scuba certified through school in an elective class. If you don’t plan to go to college, that’s okay! Stay focused and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to! 

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time outdoors or painting. I am a huge arts and crafts girlie!

What colleges did you apply to/get accepted? Why did you choose your university?

I did not apply to many schools. I applied to UNCG, UNCC, NCAT,App State, and Queens University in Charlotte.  I chose to go to UNCG - Go Spartans! 

How did high school prepare you for college? 

I cannot stress this enough - it strengthened my critical thinking and helped me be a well rounded individual. Mrs. Watkins' Article of the Weeks taught me the value of staying informed and reading longer, complicated, non-fiction texts. Ms. Wormalds lab activities improved my writing and scientific thinking skills. Mr. di Carlo’s Spanish helped me feel confident and comfortable with presentations. Business with Mr. Reed helped me network with others and develop my professionalism. Throughout my college career, I was often complimented on my maturity or intelligence and I can thank my high school experience for that. 

What was your impression of life in college? What was your college experience like?

I enjoyed my experience in college. I met lots of people from different backgrounds which honestly, opened my eyes a bit from the much smaller scale experience that I had in high school.