Fellow Friday: Alafair Turner

Fellow Friday: Alafair Turner, JIF '14

Alafair at her brother's graduation

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio 

High School: Maumee Valley Country Day School 

Why did you decide to become a Fellow?

The organization made a huge difference in my summer this past year by supporting me in attending Stanford University’s Summer College. There I studied computer science and astrophysics, two intriguing fields that I would not have the chance to delve into otherwise. Joyce Ivy’s generosity enabled me to see the future with a more open mind. 

I decided to become a Fellow because I wanted other girls like myself to experience the same feeling. Young women in this region tend to doubt their abilities to achieve their hopes and dreams. I’ve seen it in my own high school, which provides a strong education and the tools essential to college and career planning. Many of our seniors could apply to and matriculate at schools like those connected with Joyce Ivy. However, adolescents in this region too often see them as “far reaches”. Of course they have low acceptance rates, and hard work and drive is necessary to be accepted, but it’s worthwhile to aspire. I wanted to be a part of this process, so I decided to join the Foundation's Fellowship program. Ever since I was accepted, I've learned tons about the college process, and I feel I'm helping to make a difference for other young women in the Midwest.

What is your favorite memory from your summer experience?

I don't have a specific favorite memory, because everything during my eight weeks at Stanford was amazing. Looking back, I can say that I loved the entire thing. Certain parts stick out in my mind, like touring the SLAC with my astrophysics professor, coding with friends late into the evening at Starbucks, visiting Palo Alto or the Stanford Shopping Center, taking the train into San Francisco, spending long afternoons at Coupa Cafe with a cup of coffee and a book, working out math problem sets with classmates in the dorm, discussing systems of government with RAs at the dinner table, and just biking around campus at dusk on my last few nights there. Overall, it was incredible summer; I couldn't pick a single favorite moment to call my favorite.

Why does the Joyce Ivy Foundation rock?

The Joyce Ivy Foundation is an amazing organization that makes it possible for young women's dreams to come true. Girls my age should be exposed to progressive fields, people, and institutions. I feel that many high-achieving, hard-working, talented, and often under-privileged students deserve this chance. At the start of last year, I would never have thought it possible that I would be taking college courses at one of the best universities in the world, and I’m sure many young women feel the same way. With JIF, these goals can be achieved, and that's why JIF rocks.

How did JIF affect where you are today?

My experience at Stanford that was made possible by the Foundation's support allowed me to see the world differently and with a more open mind. After just a week on campus, I realized that this level of education is not so distant, and can be achieved with hard work and dedication. Coming back to my junior year in high school, with my schedule full of AP and honors courses, SAT dates, sports to play, and extracurricular events to manage, I felt more prepared and optimistic than I would have had I not spent my summer in such an inspiring academic atmosphere. Today, I have a better idea of where I would like to apply to college, what I'd like to study, and different career paths I could take. Additionally, my summer at Stanford made me want to spend this summer interning or volunteering to learn more about the fields in which I'm interested.

Do you have a question for Alafair?  Email her at 16atur@mvcds.org.