As a teenage volunteer for the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), sophomore Brianna Woodside-Gomez already has experience with law enforcement, but when the St. Mary’s Academy student heard about the “Follow A Leader” essay contest, she immediately thought it would be great to meet Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer. Her enthusiastic essay won her the opportunity to spend the day with Chief Sizer and attend an awards luncheon with her ‘Leader’, and also receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond.
“I would like a career in public service and would like to meet Chief Sizer to ask her questions about how to reach my goal,” says Woodside-Gomez. “How did Chief Sizer become in charge of the largest law enforcement agency in Oregon? What difficulties did she have to overcome to reach the top of her profession? Does she think her gender helps or hinders her?”
The “Follow A Leader” essay contest and mentor program was designed to encourage students to develop writing and communication skills, and to learn about various career options. The 29 student winners won the opportunity to spend a day with their leader, attend a June 1, 2007 awards luncheon with their leader and a parent or guardian, and receive a $1,000 U. S. Savings Bond.
“We are especially excited for Brianna because English and writing have been very challenging for her,” says her mother, Janet Woodside-Gomez. “I have noticed her improvement since she has been at St. Mary’s and I really appreciate her English teacher’s work with her. This has opened up many wonderful opportunities for her.”
“After volunteering in programs around Portland and working in many different neighborhoods, I have an endless list of questions to ask the chief,” says Brianna, “and I’m excited to discuss these with her soon.”
Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland, is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and one of 716 all-female schools in the country. The student body represents a diverse background of young women from over 30 urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. St. Mary’s Academy is distinguished by its development of the whole person, and is the only school in the state to receive three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools awards.
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