Elzbieta Dragan
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2004 Scholarship Winner
High School for Health Professions and Human Services
Baruch College
"Elzbieta is a very bright, friendly and mature young woman. She has set many goals for herself and has obtained basically all of them. Not only is Elzbieta incredibly intelligent but also she is sincere and empathetic to those around her. She has given back to her community by doing volunteer work at the Glendale Volunteer Ambulance Corporation and at the Karpas Health Information Center at the Beth Israel Hospital. Elzbieta has also interned at the YMCA. Elzbieta is an exceptional student and has definitely become a leader amongst her peers at The High School for Health Professions and Human Services but not only because of her intelligence but because she is mature, kind and has set the example for how students her age should act and behave."
—Sharon Klinkowitz, College Counselor
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Layout Editor, School Newspaper (ViperZine)
- Varsity Volleyball
- Founder/Leader, Youth Awareness Club
- National Honor Society
- Volunteer, St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital Math-a-ton
Excerpts from Elzbieta's Essay
I have lived in the United States since August 2000 when my family decided to move from Poland to seek a better life. I have quickly adapted to the new environment and set goals which included learning a second language, excelling in high school, preparing to go to college, and on my way there, helping others who have not been as fortunate as I was.
As I rode the train a few days ago, a homeless person started telling her story. She called herself people's "constant reminder." She asked everyone to be thankful for whatever it is they have. I was touched by what she said, because most people, including myself, do not realize how fortunate they are. This experience reminded me of the importance of helping and cooperating with other people.
I am very grateful to be a U.S. citizen. My personal values reflect the values of this nation. I believe in the concept of being able to live a prosperous life and achieve one's desires, which is present in many ideologies.
This ideology has helped me reach my goals. It also has motivated me to be helpful to others. Thinking about this, a quote from The Great Gatsby, one of my favorite books, comes to my mind:
"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all people in this world have not had the advantages that you've had."
At the beginning of my living in the United States, I had to face several obstacles. It did not take me long to realize that everything would be easier if I only had someone to "show me the way." This is exactly how I help others, so that they can have it easier than I had.
