![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/img439502bd5caac9f844cc8e3d9c555a5eabd3.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Dance
Reading
Writing
Music
Biomedical Sciences
Research
Reading
Fantasy
Young Adult
Adult Fiction
I read books multiple times per week
Clara McComb
835
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/img439502bd5caac9f844cc8e3d9c555a5eabd3.webp)
Clara McComb
835
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
I have always been an extremely hard-working individual with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for learning. My education is something that I understand I am very blessed to have access to and something I never take for granted. By pursuing higher education, I hope to complete my career goals in the medical field, be able to help others, and spread my thirst for knowledge. Outside of school and studying, I have a part-time job that has taught me a very solid work ethic. I also love to dance and hope to continue that in college alongside my STEM degree. I can't wait to see what my future has in store and hope to reach my dreams.
Education
Powhatan High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Career
Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
My long-term career goal is to become a pediatric surgeon and help save lives
Shift Lead
Dunkin'2023 – Present1 year
Sports
Dancing
Varsity2021 – Present3 years
Awards
- Captain
Research
Pharmacology and Toxicology
VCU Medical School, Medical Science Internship Program — Intern with my own research project, independently carrying out PCR tests2024 – Present
Arts
Marianne Kelly's School of Dance and Legacy School of Dance LLC
Dance2010 – 2023
Public services
Volunteering
Bon Secours — I rounded on patients periodically and brought them items to comfort them as well as provided company to lonely customers in the ER2023 – 2024
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Colonial Italian American Organization Donor Scholarship
WinnerOne day my Grandma and I were in her kitchen trying to make cupcakes from a box cake mix. I was way too young to know anything about fractions and confidently read the completely wrong measurement for the oil out to my grandma, or "Ma" as I know her. Our cupcakes ended up more like oil cakes due to the extra two cups of oil that found their way into the mixture nonetheless, we laughed until we cried and didn't get too caught up on our baking fail. That was the first (and probably only) time my Ma had ever cooked anything bad. Something so special about Italian heritage is every Italian Grandma's ability to unite their family through food. I grew up knowing Ma's kitchen as a place that was always filled with life. Her kitchen watched not only myself but our entire family go through every holiday, life stage, milestone, and achievement.
Being Italian has taught me many things, especially because I don't fit the stereotype of what a "classic" Italian looks like. Through my heritage, I've learned to embrace loudness and chaos, to speak with my hands, and to be passionate about everything I experience in a world where life is much too short. My heritage has taught me to value family over everything, no matter the amount of petty disagreements. It taught me that blood is always thicker than water (maybe not thicker than Ma's pasta sauce though.) This culture, especially its love for food and cooking for others, has taught me to make a plate for everyone, figuratively and literally. Italians are so passionate about food and love to share their cooking with everyone from all walks of life. Watching my family and generations before me welcome others with open arms has taught me that there's always a seat for everyone at the table, no matter where they come from or where they're headed.
No one in my family has ever gone to medical school, become a doctor, or even expressed any kind of interest in the medical field at all, which is such a shame. I know that for a fact with the welcoming demeanor that my family offers to anyone they come across any one of my relatives would be a phenomenal physician. When I become a physician one day, I want to utilize all of the lessons I learned in Ma's kitchen. I will be kind to all and welcoming to everyone from all walks of life, just like my Italian ancestors taught me to be. I will use the passion I learned from my ancestors to always give my 100% to everything that I do in my studies and my career. Being Italian has taught me so much more than good recipes, and I plan on using those Italian ideals to bring kindness and compassion into a world that could always use more of it.