During The Gold Humanism Honor Society’s Solidarity Week in March, five outstanding high school students shared their perspectives about societal difficulties unique to teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured above along with medical student attendees are the panelists (pictured in the third square from the top left, moving right), Mardinae Gary, Vanessa Cleophat, Iyesha Shoatz, Nathaniel Cosme-Ortiz and Samia McCoy.
Solidarity Week is about creating spaces for medical students and members of the community to meet and engage with each other, and also learn how we best can support one another. The high school students, a mix of eleventh and twelfth graders from The School of the Future and The Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, shared moving stories about being students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular discussed the impacts of the pandemic on mental health during a time when teens have no other space outside of their home to express themselves due to virtual school and social distancing. They shared their ideas on how doctors can be more helpful to their communities by increasing their use of social media. The Gold Humanism Honor Society was elated to award each student a $450 educational scholarship as an honorarium for their time.
apenndx wanted to highlight this event, and congratulate these students on their great accomplishments, especially during a very difficult year!
