When Alizey Seymour (SEED DC ’20) was eleven years old, she was enrolled at her neighborhood school and waitlisted for acceptance into The SEED School of Washington, D.C. “I was attending a different school when my mom called me and told me I had been pulled off the waitlist and was accepted to SEED. I was so excited for the opportunity to be in a new environment that would push me academically and to have the space to become more independent.” Now as a recent high school graduate, Alizey credits SEED for giving her the academic, social, and emotional support to enroll in college and achieve her dreams of becoming a successful businesswoman.
At SEED, Alizey was an active member of the track and field team, the National Honor Society, and Peer Group Connection, where she served as a counselor and role model for younger SEED students. One of her most rewarding experiences was working behind the scenes as a make-up artist for the SEED Falcon Theater. “Make-up is one of my passions! Working with the Falcon Theater gave me a lot of practice.”
Alizey is confident that SEED’s boarding component enhanced her ability to build valuable relationships, like the bond she has built with Ms. Janice Carroll, resident advisor at SEED DC. “Ms. Carroll was my first resident advisor and has remained a constant friend and mentor to me. I have learned so much from her and have gotten the opportunity to see every aspect of a strong black woman—which I hope to become one day.”
This fall, Alizey will begin her college journey at Bentley University, majoring in business economics. “I chose to attend Bentley because it is one of the top business schools in the nation.” Though Alizey is beginning her first semester of college online, she’s excited to meet new people virtually and embark on new experiences. To ensure a smooth transition from SEED to Bentley University, Alizey was awarded the 2020 SEED Foundation Scholarship and regularly meets with her college success advisor, Ms. Gwenna Ihrie. “My college success advisor has helped me tremendously with the whole process of enrolling in college. I am a first-generation college student, so it is great to have someone guide me through this very important time in my life.”
We’re so proud of Alizey and look forward to sharing her future college success.
Read more about Alizey and meet her fellow 2020 SEED Scholarship recipients.