Mastic Beach, NY - June 13, 2016 - William Floyd High School junior Travis Negron has been accepted to the prestigious University of Miami Summer Scholars Program, a program that provides an opportunity for students to explore their academic passions and experience life as a college student for three weeks this upcoming summer. Travis was awarded a full scholarship worth $7,500, which is given to only one student per specialty. He will focus on neuroscience, specifically, the physiology of the brain and can earn six college credits. He hopes to one day become an emergency room physician.
Inspired by his grandmother who always told him to “do well in school and be what you want to be” and with the support and guidance of his family, guidance counselor, teachers and his own self-determination, Travis is extremely motivated to pursue his dream. When Travis is not hitting the books or reading up on the latest in medicine, he is involved in the Youth and Government Club and plays the alto saxophone in the high school jazz band. He also volunteers with Brookhaven Memorial Hospital and the Shirley Community Ambulance, the latter of which is helping him master the skills required for the EMT-B certification test in 2017.
“Since I was little, I knew I wanted to eventually grow up and make a mark on society,” said Travis. “The opportunity to go on a real-life EMS call sparked a tremendous amount of excitement within me and invigorated my desire even further. Not only does it provide me with the opportunity to help patients that may be in a life-or-death situation, but it also allows me to give back to the community and further enhance my medical skills,” he said. “As my volunteer career at Shirley Community Ambulance Company began to progress, it became extremely apparent to me that I wanted to do so much more; thus developing and contributing to my ultimate goal of wanting to become an emergency medical physician. Further research on my goal allowed me to come into contact with the University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program, which will provide me the opportunity to immerse myself in the medical field, as well as become acclimated to the college lifestyle.”
“Travis is one of the most dedicated, driven and focused students that I have had the pleasure to work with,” said Kerry Brewer, Travis’s guidance counselor for the past two years. “As a junior, Travis took the initiative to research various internships and summer programs in the medical field to give him a head start on his college and career goals,” she said, noting that his initiative resulted in a position at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital and acceptance into the University of Miami Summer Scholars Program.
“Even more impressive than his academic ability, Travis is a humble, kind and respectful young man whose personal character is second to none. He always has a smile on his face and his upbeat personality is contagious. With his perseverance, I have absolutely no doubt that he will achieve all of his goals. I can confidently say that one day I will refer to him as ‘Dr. Negron.’”
Travis also completed William Floyd High School’s Introduction to Medicine course which offers students National Certification in First Aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and use of the AED (automated external defibrillator) device. The class also introduces students to the topics and branches of gross anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, exercise science and an introduction to the medical professions.