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Maleah Parker

1x

Finalist

General information

Ethnicity
Black/African, Hispanic/Latino

Hobbies & Interests

  • Cooking
  • Marketing
  • Writing
  • Poetry
  • Reading

Reading

  • Adult Fiction
  • Adventure
  • Mystery
  • Cookbooks

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

I want to be a private chef for athletes. I'm a Junior but I've already called colleges and figuring out where in Texas I want to go. Plus I graduate in 2026. And two, I know what degree I want under my belt to strengthen my credibility as a private chef for athletes. I want to go to a college near home to get my degree to be a dietitians. I live in Texas. Plus on top of this, in year 2023, in March, I was diagnosed with a left congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Stage 4. I was originally born with one, so I had to get surgery as a baby, but it reoccurred. So I had to get another surgery. But I'm ok now. And I'm not stirred away from my goal!

Education

Klein Oak High School

High School

2022 – 2026

GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services, Other, Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

Career

  • I helped cook food and serve it. We were catering to a birthday. I was in a internship and was payed for my work.

    Hospitality · Sophisticated Delights

    Jan 2023 – Jan 2023

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Culinary Arts
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Ward Green Scholarship for the Arts & Sciences
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 17. I want to become a dietitian so I'd have that credibility that I have my future client's best interest at heart. I'm planning to go to a college in Texas, since that's where I live, and I'd be near my family. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do. I want to study to be a dietitian in Texas. I want to add that title under my belt to help my credibility when I become a private chef for athletes. To have more in depth knowledge than most
James Lynn Baker II #BeACoffeeBean Scholarship
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 17. I want to become a dietitian so I'd have that credibility that I have my future client's best interest at heart. I'm planning to go to a college in Texas, since that's where I live, and I'd be near my family. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do.
Kayla Nicole Monk Memorial Scholarship
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 17. I want to become a dietitian so I'd have that credibility that I have my future client's best interest at heart. I'm planning to go to a college in Texas, since that's where I live, and I'd be near my family. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do. I want to study to be a dietitian in Texas. I want to add that title under my belt to help my credibility when I become a private chef for athletes. To have more in depth knowledge than most.
Nabi Nicole Grant Memorial Scholarship
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker, and I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 17. I want to become a dietitian so I'd have that credibility that I have my future client's best interest at heart. I'm planning to go to a college in Texas, since that's where I live, and I'd be near my family. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do
John Young 'Pursue Your Passion' Scholarship
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 17. I want to become a dietitian so I'd have that credibility that I have my future client's best interest at heart. I'm planning to go to a college in Texas, since that's where I live, and I'd be near my family. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do.
Joe Gilroy "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan" Scholarship
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 17. I want to become a dietitian so I'd have that credibility that I have my future client's best interest at heart. I'm planning to go to a college in Texas, since that's where I live, and I'd be near my family. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do.
Martha Brooks Culinary Arts Scholarship
My name is Maleah Oddessa Parker. I was diagnosed with a stage 4 hernia. My organs had moved into my chest and started pressing into my heart. And rotating. Suffocating me from the inside out. But this wasn't my first rodeo. I was born this way. Had surgery when I was a baby because of this. I was born with a hernia, a closed lung, and the other one partially closed. I survived, beating the odds against me since I had a 12 percent chance. They said I wouldn't be able to walk. Eat. Speak. At all on my own. But my parents got me through that and I was good by three. But here we go again. We got through it again. But it still wasn't fun. But after surgery, I was better. But not completely. I couldn't enjoy spicy foods, acidic foods, or eat as fast as I used to. My esophagus was weak. My acid reflux was terrible. Making it hard for me to consume the foods I loved and wanted to eat. I couldn't go to cookouts and even missed a BBQ fair while I was in the hospital for a week. But this just encouraged me. I wanted to be a help to people who need help with their eating. So I want to be a Private Chef for Athletes. I'm currently 16. But I wanna skip my senior year to go to ICE (Culinary Institute of America) in Manhattan New York. I was inspired by my Mom, who's a boxer (Her name's Melissa Oddessa Parker). She has meal plans. And learning what foods can do for someone's body is fascinating. Learning all the little details I can and absorbing them. I've seen what a good meal can do for people. And as I'm getting stronger myself, I want others to grow as well. Maybe the next big athlete will be from my hometown, Spring Texas. Or someone who's Puerto Rican, Hispanic, or African American. I just want to be a help and do something I love. Cook healthy food. Keep people happy. Food is the way to the soul. Just because lif handed me lemons doesn't mean I just make lemonade. I can make a lemon chicken. Or use lemon zest for a garnish. There's so many ways to use just one lemon. Each one an opportunity. And if I could get my hands on that basket, there's over a million things I could, and would do.
Maleah Parker Student Profile | Bold.org