Upward Bound: PCHS student to earn college degree before high school diploma
PCHS student to earn college degree before high school diploma
PHIL CAMPBELL – A few days before she graduates as valedictorian of Phil Campbell High School, 17-year-old Mary Elizabeth Fisher, a first-generation college student, plans to graduate from Northwest Shoals Community College with an associate’s degree in science.
Her work through the dual enrollment and Upward Bound programs at the NWSCC Phil Campbell campus is part of her plan to become a pharmacist.
“I want to become a pharmacist because I want to give back to my community,” Fisher said. “I attend church with Mrs. Angela Williams. She is a pharmacist, and she let me job shadow her. I really enjoyed seeing how she worked. I have also job shadowed at Family Pharmacy. Last summer, I attended the University of Mississippi’s pharmacy camp and really enjoyed learning about all the parts of pharmacy.”
Fisher has earned several acknowledgements for her efforts, including the American Chemical Society Award.
At PCHS, she is the vice president of her senior class and is involved in Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and the Grass Roots Project, a program she founded to help provide companionship to elderly residents in assisted living homes. Her service efforts were recognized at the state level when she won second place in the FBLA state competition for her service project.
She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at NWSCC.
“I do a lot of volunteer work, but one of my favorites is the Grass Roots Project,” Fisher explained. “My junior year, I was asked by Mrs.
Taylor Godsey (a teacher at PCHS) if I would want to compete in a Future Business Leaders of America competition.”
When Fisher agreed to compete, she decided what she wanted to do was start a community service project of her own.
“I decided to dedicate my project to helping the elderly,” Fisher continued. “I presented the project and won second place on the state level, and then competed with kids on the national level. I really enjoyed spending time with the elderly and wanted them to feel remembered.”
Fisher said the project has not been as active recently because the volunteers were mostly students and school activities started interfering.
“It has brought so much joy to both the volunteers and the elderly we were helping,” she said of the project. “I may have even enjoyed it more than they did.”
Fisher has played varsity volleyball, basketball and golf, as well as earned the highest GPA award for her athletic participation. She has dedicated time to various volunteer organizations, including Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), as well as a number of community outreach programs.
Fisher credits the Upward Bound Program for providing tutoring, free college courses and cultural experiences. She is preparing to apply to pharmacy schools at Samford University, Union University and Lipscomb University.
“Mary Beth’s story is an incredible example of how dedication, perseverance and access to educational opportunities can change lives,” said Sherry Campbell, program manager of Upward Bound. “We are so proud of her achievements and can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes in the future.”
Phil Campbell High School Principal Bart Moss is likewise impressed by Fisher’s accomplishment.
“Mary Beth is a super student, but more importantly, a great young lady,” Moss said. “She knows what she wants to do, and she’s had a plan in place to make it happen. She is super focused and a hard worker. She has taken full advantage of the opportunities and flexibility that we allow our dual enrollment students. I couldn’t be more proud of her and for her family. It gives her a lot of options after she graduates in May.”
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