2008 Spirit of Allison Graduation Award Recipient

Obinne Iweh

Obinne Iweh was presented a $500 Spirit of Allison Graduation Award at the Perry Hall High School Scholarship and Awards assembly. In presenting the award, Allison's parents Ronald Fisher, Sr. and Pat Fisher congratulated Obinne on her winning essay. While, she has been fortunate that none of her family members or family friends have been affected by breast cancer, it was obvious from her essay that she had done research to find out about breast cancer. She correctly pointed out that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women 15-54. Allison's father said, "it gives us great pleasure to support students like Obinne who have been good students in high school and who take time to learn about breast cancer. That's what the mission of Allison's Fund is all about---promoting the awareness of breast cancer in young women and supporting education thru various scholarships and awards given in Allison's name."

Applicants for the award had to write a 500 word essay explaining how they exhibited the characteristics Allison exemplified, they are: leadership, artistic expression, courage, congeniality and volunteerism. Applicants were also asked to include in their essays their personal experience [family member, friends or neighbors] with or general knowledge of breast cancer. The award is given to the young person who writes the best essay explaining how he or she exhibits these characteristics; regardless of grades and college plans.

Additionally in her essay, Obinne wrote about how she, like Allison, worked as a peer counselor at Perry Hall High School. She attributes involvement with her peer counseling group with her development of courage to face obstacles and the ability to help others develop courage. Also, like Allison, Obinne has displayed the characteristics of congeniality and leadership. Her pleasing personality is displayed "every Tuesday morning [when] my friend Brittany and I get to do the morning announcements," writes Obinne. She works after school at Chick-Fil-A where she is a Unit Trainer. Her manager relies upon her to "rally the rest of the employees and tell them what to do and how to do it." Obinne is the oldest of four children and the only girl. She feels that being a role model for her brothers is a test of her leadership. Obinne says, "My brothers look at me for everything from advice to money..."

Obinne was accepted to Hampton, UMES, Frostburg, Morgan and Virginia Commonwealth University. She chose Morgan State University, where she is majoring in Nursing with a minor in Psychology. After successfully graduating from Morgan with my a degree in Nursing, she plans to enroll in Medical School.