Damaris Akpovi loves science. As a child, she would borrow her father’s stethoscope and pretend to listen to her brother’s heartbeat. Her fascination with how the human body works has fueled her dream of becoming a doctor and helping others.
Damaris, a rising senior at Mission Early College High School, is already making strides toward her future medical career. This summer, she will receive her associate degree in multidisciplinary studies from El Paso Community College for free. In August, she expects to start classes at the University of Texas at El Paso, bringing her closer to realizing her dream, all while still in high school.
"It feels like I'm officially becoming an adult," said Damaris, who is in the top 10% of her class. "I feel really accomplished because that's two years of school that I could take off, especially with medical school, and I don't have to worry about money. I'm really happy that I went through this program.”
In recognition of her outstanding accomplishments, Damaris was selected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees regular meeting in June.
Damaris was born in Nigeria. Her family moved to Houston from the West African country before settling in El Paso. Her parents instilled in her the value of education. Damaris’s mother is a pharmacist, and her father is a nurse. Watching them work hard to raise a family and pursue their college education inspired Damaris to enroll in an early college program and earn her associate degree.
“I wanted to get a head start, too, because I saw that they could do it,” Damaris said. “I thought to myself that if I stayed encouraged, I could do that as well.”
After completing eighth grade at a private school, Damaris and her mom looked at early college high schools. They decided that Mission Early College, with its small class sizes and proximity to EPCC, would be the best choice for her.
Damaris was impressed by the school's educators, like Carlye Flores, whose passion for teaching science and biology kept Damaris engaged in class. Whether examining wet specimens or creating 3D models of body systems with Play-Doh, Damaris said Flores’s class has made her enthusiastic about studying biology in college.
Over the past three years, Flores has seen Damaris evolve from a shy freshman with a fierce mind for learning to be a leader on campus. Damaris has served as secretary of the environmental club for two years. This fall, she will assume the role of the Science National Honor Society’s (SNHS) president.
“I believe her role model status exudes from the passion and dedication she puts into everything from clubs and organizations to her school work and to her friendships,” Flores said.
At first, Damaris found it challenging to juggle college and high school classes, but with the guidance of her teachers, she was able to successfully balance her coursework. This spring, she took two online college courses in addition to her high school classes. During the summer breaks, she would attend EPCC in person.
As a volunteer with the school’s Summer Bridge Camp, Damaris shares her experience with incoming ninth-grade students about what it is like to be both in high school and EPCC. She advises students that although it may be difficult at first, with the support of their classmates and teachers, they can get through it.
"You just have to stay encouraged because that first class you take might be hard, but seeing the next one where you get a better grade you're just going to know, 'Oh, I'm actually doing well. I should keep doing this.' And then, before you know it, you will be graduating with your associate’s even before high school.
Apart from her demanding studies, Damaris has also dedicated her time to staying active in her school community, which she said has helped to enhance her education.
As a member of the school’s V-Girls club, Damaris has gained valuable insights about female empowerment. Last year, she promoted environmental awareness by planting seed pods in egg cartons with the Environmental Club. In the SNHS, she led a plant activity with students demonstrating the effects of food coloring on plant growth. She also has demonstrated her commitment to the community through her volunteer work with the Key Club at the Humane Society of El Paso.
"I'm lucky to have these opportunities to start with, especially since my parents are immigrants," Damaris said. "I'm not just doing it for them, of course. I'm doing it for myself because I feel accomplished coming here, but it's nice knowing I'm also making them proud."