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If you reviewed Ava Freye’s PSI Chapter scholarship application, you’d be amazed by the academic and athletic excellence she has achieved in her 18 years—and by the lofty praise in her recommendation letters.
Her Spanish teacher, for instance, effused that Ava was “one of the best students I have taught in my 25 years as a … teacher,” noting that Ava achieved the “rare and remarkable accomplishment” of receiving the Best Student Award every trimester in Spanish 2 and Spanish 3. “As a student, [Ava] shows tremendous drive and initiative, work ethic, and positivity,” this teacher continued. “As a person, she leads by example, is kind to all, and always willing to help in any way that she can.”
Another one of Ava’s teachers said she is “a phenomenal role model as an athlete, a student, and as a person,” noting that her traits include being selfless, determined, and strong. “Ava would truly give you the shirt off her back if she thought you needed it,” this teacher said.
As an athlete on the soccer field and basketball court, Ava “plays with toughness and heart,” giving “110% in every game,” her Spanish teacher said. She also is incredibly generous of spirit. “She is always willing to step up and give back, whether it’s coaching young athletes or volunteering at the cancer center,” the teacher said.
Given the above—and much more—it’s no wonder the PSI Chapter selected Ava as this year’s $5,000 grand-prize scholarship winner. Here, PSI talks with Ava about her academic and athletic achievements so far as well as her career plans going forward.
How do you feel about being chosen as the PSI scholarship grand-prize winner? I am beyond honored and truly ecstatic to be selected as this year’s PSI scholarship grand-prize winner. Knowing that the problem I chose to write about in my application essay—the debilitating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome—is understood and acknowledged by the scholarship committee just further pushes me to translate the generosity of PSI into a solution to that problem.
How will the PSI scholarship help with your ongoing education? The money generously provided by this scholarship will help to pay for the various academic supplies and resources I will need while at Michigan State University, allowing me more time to focus on my undergraduate education and giving me the opportunity to save more money for my postgraduate education as a medical student and researcher.
What was your most meaningful high school class? Your most challenging? Your favorite? Why? AP Research was both my most meaningful and most challenging class because I was able to conduct my own research project and independently recruit participants. That class forced me to learn professional communication and the importance of details and planning. I had to learn how to handle situations when things went wrong and how to persevere when things didn't go as expected. Because of that, however, the satisfaction I felt after completing my own yearlong research study was immense.
By far, AP Calculus was my favorite class because it offered problems whose solutions could be diligently and meticulously found through focus and determination.
What have been your proudest achievements so far? My proudest achievements include graduating high school with a 4.5 GPA and a 4.0 unweighted GPA; being selected for the All-Conference and All-District teams in all my years of playing high school soccer; being chosen as the Meijer Scholar Athlete of the Week; being chosen as the Student of the Trimester; and earning MSU’s Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship.
What are your greatest strengths? Time management, a strong work ethic, and the ability to empathize.
What are you passionate about? It has always excited me to learn about various women’s health topics and use that knowledge to improve numerous lives. Additionally, I have found a passion in health and fitness in general and have spent much of my free time playing or coaching sports. I especially appreciate the biology and chemistry of the human body’s ability to maintain health and fitness on a microscopic level.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people. I keep a very messy work environment.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to play soccer, lift weights, run, read, and do puzzles.
How do you feel about finishing high school and preparing to enter college? Despite being a bit nervous for the completely new environment and atmosphere, I am super excited to dive deeper into my passions and curiosities and to engage with the community I find in East Lansing. With all the opportunities that MSU provides, I have no doubt that I will meet plenty of new, diverse groups of people and be able to quench some of the scientific curiosities I continue to hold.
Why did you decide to attend Michigan State University? MSU offers a unique opportunity that allows incoming freshmen to gain invaluable research experience under the guidance of an experienced faculty member while getting paid. With aspirations to further pursue research related to women’s health topics after my undergraduate studies, I couldn’t find a better research program than the one offered at MSU. Being such a large university with such a diverse community, MSU also offers all the resources necessary for a well-rounded and fulfilling education before becoming a doctor. Having the opportunity to also be a member of the Honors College at MSU, I will get all the perks of being in a smaller community within the larger MSU community while engaging in a rigorous yet rewarding educational experience.
What will be your major—and what are your career aspirations related to that major? I will be double majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Nutritional Sciences on a pre-med track. I hope to further pursue biomedical research after undergrad and attend medical school to become an OB/GYN.
What do you plan to do with the rest of your summer? I will continue to work as a lifeguard at a local summer camp, play soccer with my club team and compete in nationals, and take an online summer class related to food science through MSU.
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