Aliyah Lima is currently a senior at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. This fall she will be attending Rutgers University, majoring in linguistics with a minor in disability studies. Her end goal is to pursue a career as a pediatric speech language pathologist. Throughout her high school career, she has been a member of The Torch, Student Council, International Thespian Society, National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Spirit Cheer.
Do you fear that commuting will affect your college life?
Aliyah: I was kind of worried if I wouldn’t get the full college experience, but I think because the school is so big, there’s so many opportunities, and I’m just gonna have to work a little bit extra hard to make sure I’m just getting the full experience and getting my tuitions worth.
Since you were very involved in extracurricular activities here at JFK, do you plan on joining different clubs at Rutgers?
Yeah, I actually applied to some leadership institutes or success institutes, so I’m waiting to hear back from that, but we’ll see. I think there’s a lot of clubs so hopefully I’ll find something that I like.
What excites you the most about going to college?
I’m actually really excited about what I’m pursuing. I’m gonna study to become a speech therapist and it’s just something that I’m really passionate about. I think everybody deserves an equal chance at communication and … it doesn’t matter if you have a language barrier or a communication disorder … there’s still so much communication. Communication is beyond speaking, so it just makes me really excited to actually learn the science behind it. I know it sounds nerdy but … I’m passionate about it so I’m just really excited to further my studies.
What is one thing that you are proud of accomplishing this year?
I would say… I think the obvious one is getting into college. I was so scared and nervous in the application [process], and I convinced myself that everything I turned in was so bad, and I was like, “there’s no way I’m getting into college,” but I’m also just proud of myself for continuing to do things that I like, and continuing to do well in school and not let senioritis get to me too much.
What’s your favorite high school memory?
I was a cheerleader all throughout high school, so definitely all of the football games, but specifically my senior night this year. It was my last time cheering at JFK. We had an away game afterwards, but it was just my last time [cheering] and I … just actually realized how appreciative I am for cheer and the team, and all the amazing girls.
What is a piece of advice that has stuck with you throughout high school?
[It] was something that my mom always said to me. Ever since I was little, she would be like, “oh stick to yourself,” or “reach for the sky, the sky’s the limit,” and I know its cheesy, but honestly I didn’t realize how much I took that to heart until I was placed with all of these opportunities that seemed kind of difficult, but then I was like, “no, I got this, just try, just try your hardest…” and I realized [that] … if you actually try and apply yourself, a lot of things are possible.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years hopefully I’ll reach my goal of being a speech therapist. … I want my concentration to be pediatrics and I specifically want to be a bilingual speech therapist. Hopefully I’m looking at a private practice or a hospital, or a school as a speech therapist helping kids who speak Spanish, but I also hope … I have a family. I hope I’m maybe living still in New Jersey, but a little bit farther from here ….
