May 2023
Gabby Nicholas and Los Angeles Alums during an April 2023 Thrive Together Gathering
Compass Feature: Merilin Castillo Stephens
2007 Young Scholar, 2012 College Scholar, 2016 Graduate Scholar, Columbia University
As a College Scholar, Merilin studied History and Literature at Harvard University. She then went on to Columbia University as a Graduate Scholar to earn her law degree, and now works as a litigation & enforcement associate at Ropes & Gray LLP law firm.
In the following video, Merilin shares what the Cooke community means to her. You can check out more videos of her here.
An Garagiola
2016 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2019 Graduate Scholar, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
For the last three years, An has been part of fully immersive, Tribally-led research at the University of Minnesota, Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing, or TRUTH. The research group has just published a historic report. TRUTH, is a land-based, community-led research movement in collaboration with the 11 recognized Tribal governments with whom Minnesota shares geography, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and Indigenous researchers at the University of Minnesota. Their project is the first land-grab investigation that centers and uplifts Tribal voices to reshape the narrative of the University, the State, and beyond.
You can view a copy of the TRUTH Report at the following link, Oshkigin Noojimo'iwe, Naġi Waƞ P̣etu Uƞ Ihduwaṡ'ake He Oyate Kiƞ Zaniwic̣aye Kte, The Spirit that Renews Through Fire Heals the People.
As An describes, “The TRUTH Report looks at the land grab mechanism through the lens of these 11 Tribal Nations affected by legislation such as the Morrill Act and asks what does it mean for higher ed to grapple with this legacy, offers recommendations for policy change, and share resources we've developed to teach and help those who are implementing change within their institution.”
An’s project has been receiving international interest, and she has been invited to speak in both Hawaii and Toronto this month.
You can learn more about An’s academic and professional journey here.
Amira Chowdhury
2018 College Scholar, University of Pennsylvania
Amira was recently selected as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar and moved to study at Universidade Nacional Timor-Lorosa'e. She has been taking intensive Tetun classes to learn their local language and get immersed in the Timorese community. She also started teaching at the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosae. Amira shared that she is so excited for a year of teaching, learning & intercultural exchange ahead.
Ricky Steelman
2002 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2006 Graduate Scholar, Pepperdine University
Ricky found out in mid-December 2022 that he had a benign brain tumor called a vestibular schwannoma (or acoustic neuroma) on the moderately large side. His brain surgery was scheduled for Thursday, February 16th at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. The operation lasted over 10 hours and was led by a team of surgeons and anesthesiologists.
Ricky shared, “I was then in recovery and also had to get an MRI after that. I had a 4:45am arrival time, and I didn’t make it to my hospital room after recovery and the MRI until 10:40pm. Long surgery day but I am very grateful to be alive.”
Ricky’s main neurosurgeon, Dr. Keith Black, shared with Ricky that he believes he removed 95% of the tumor. On Saturday, February 18th, Ricky was released from the hospital.
Ricky shared, “My work has been supportive, and I appreciate being able to focus on my health and recovery. I get better and stronger each day. Going through this has helped give me a better perspective on this one life that I have to live. I am thankful for my doctors and nurses and to be alive.”
We are so grateful to share in Ricky’s good news, and we celebrate his health and the wonderful medical team who took great care of him.
Rachel Katz
2014 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, 2017 Graduate Scholar, John Jay College (CUNY)
Rachel is currently in the last year of her PhD in Clinical Psychology program at Alliant International University, San Diego. She was just matched at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, a state psychiatric hospital in North Jersey.
Rachel shared that she is most excited about, “Continuing to learn ways to provide compassionate, respectful, and empirically supported treatments with individuals suffering from serious mental illness; and getting targeted training in psychological assessment administration and interpretation.”
You can learn more about Rachel’s academic and professional journey here.
The Latest from the CookeAlumni.org Blog
Upcoming Event: My Entrepreneurship Journey Virtual Chat
Date: Thursday, May 4th from 7PM-8PM ET
Are you interested in starting your own company? Do you want to hear best practices to help with your own non-profit?
Hear from four Cooke Alums who have successfully started their own businesses and non profits and what they've learned along the way.
Register here.
Thrive Together with the Cooke Community in May
The school year is almost at an end, which means we are in the last event period for Thrive Together: End-of-School-Year and Graduation Celebrations. It’s been so great to see so many of you connecting these last few months, and we want to encourage you to get together one more time to celebrate the end of the school year! Have a picnic or grill out at a favorite park; take advantage of the warmer weather and go for a group hike; or film a "Welcome to the Family” video together for all the newly selected Scholars that we can share with them! Funding is possible – complete this form to request pre-event approval.
However you decide to gather in community with one another, make sure to let us know how it went by tagging @TheJKCF and including #ThriveTogether in any social media posts. We love to see our Cooke Scholars and Alumni out there Thriving!
As a reminder, Thrive Together points do not carry over to the new school year, so the deadline to claim your rewards is May 31, 2023. We will begin a new Thrive Together year when school starts up again in August.
As always, if you have any questions, email us at Thrive@jkcf.org.
Calling for Cookie Recipes!
Deadline to submit: Friday, May 26th
Cooke Alum Maile Harris recently had the incredible idea to collect cookie recipes from fellow Cookie Cousins and compile them into a recipe book. This recipe book will be given as a gift from Cooke Alums to new College Scholars and new Undergraduate Transfer Scholars at Scholars Weekend 2023.
You probably remember how much the support and excitement from Cooke Alums meant to you as a new Scholar as you transitioned into the community. We’re hoping this recipe book can serve as a resource for Scholars to try new recipes, and also as a source of motivation with words of encouragement from Cooke Alums.
We plan to distribute the book as a gift for new Scholars during Scholars Weekend 2023. If you're interested in having your recipe printed in the recipe book, please fill out this form.
Calling Alums to Join the 2023-2024 Alumni Engagement Council
Are you looking to become more involved in the Cooke Alum community? Do you want to participate in quarterly meetings to brainstorm ways to further engage the Cooke community? Join the Alumni Engagement Council (AEC) for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Join a group of 20 fellow Alums to provide feedback on Alum engagement, help program and plan activities, participate in Cooke events, and serve as a liaison between the Foundation and the community.
Submit your application to join the 2023-2024 AEC here.
Share an update with us!
Alums, do you want to be featured in an upcoming Alumni Buzz? Do you have an academic, professional, or personal update to share? We would love to hear it!
Throwback Photo: 2018 Senior Summit