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Mariah Strawder

2x

Finalist

General information

Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Black/African

Hobbies & Interests

  • African American Studies
  • Astrology
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Learning
  • Social Work
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Advocacy And Activism
  • Law
  • Travel And Tourism
  • Child Development
  • Mental Health
  • Babysitting And Childcare
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Education
  • Environmental Science and Sustainability
  • Journalism
  • Journaling

Reading

  • Young Adult
  • Contemporary
  • Cultural
  • Horror
  • Education
  • Self-Help
  • Social Issues
  • Psychology
  • Academic
  • Environment

I read books daily.

Bio

Hello, my name is Mariah Strawder, and I am a senior in high school in Los Angeles, California. Around school, I'm deemed a model student on my campus. I'm well-respected by staff and peers due to my determination and passion for helping others. At my school, I've been the captain of the Academic Decathlon for two years. I'm also the founder and president of our Book Club, and we meet every Wednesday and Friday. In the book club, we read books and short stories about different cultures, societal issues, and some novels! To serve my peers, I became an ambassador for the College Board's BigFuture program; I inform my schoolmates and friends about the variety of scholarships and types of college and career planning that BigFuture provides. Outside school, I'm active in my community, volunteering as an Elementary School Tutor and for organizations such as the Alexandria House, Access Books, Big Sunday, LA Family Housing, and Habitat for Humanity. As a first-gen student with critical financial need, I'm very grateful for the platform resources Bold.org offers.

Education

University of California-Los Angeles

Bachelor's degree program

2025 – 2029

Majors:
  • Education, Other
  • Public Administration

Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets-health and Sports Medicine

High School

2021 – 2025

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Associate

    Food & Beverages · In-N-Out Burger

    Jan 2023 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Volunteering as a tutor throughout high school and working closely with students who face academic challenges has revealed to me the disparities among marginalized youth. I’ve witnessed how a lack of resources, inadequate support systems, and socioeconomic barriers hinder students’ academic progress and outcomes. This has propelled me into mentorship and volunteer work and continues to fuel my passion for educational law and policy. As a lawyer, I will aim to ensure all students’ rights are protected and fight for schools in marginalized communities to have access to the quality resources they need to succeed. As a policymaker, I want to advocate for policies that eliminate the opportunity gap perpetuated by students’ socioeconomic status. Growing up, I had a profound love for reading and writing. My grandma, who always listened to my stories, helped me see that my passion was a gift. Her encouragement motivated me to share my gift by becoming a writer. Outside of law, I plan to keep up with my passion for writing. As a poet, I want my writing to inspire and uplift others. As a children's author, I hope to create enriching stories that nurture kids’ development and spark the imaginations of future leaders. As a journalist, I intend to connect my passion with transformative education studies to investigate educational disparities and their root causes. I plan to raise awareness of critical issues within the education system, advocate for policies that promote educational equity, and share the perspectives of students, teachers, and community members to emphasize the impact of educational policies and practices.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Mariah Strawder Student Profile | Bold.org