Senior Story: Linda Ka, Cato Middle College High

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

6/1/2021

For Linda Ka, the path to graduation was always a journey that tested her as a first-generation immigrant and college student. She described her senior year as taxing, transforming and purposeful, and said it was especially hard during these times of sickness, war and uncertainty. But she always had faith she would graduate from Cato Middle College High and attend a university.

Linda graduated summa cum laude. She received the Presidential Award and received several scholarships, including the Danforth Scholarship and the Carolina Covenant Scholarship. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a biology major and possibly double-major or minor in psychology or business.

Having already earned an associate's degree, Linda plans to earn her bachelor's degree in two years and her master's degree in the next four years. In 10 years, she hopes to be a resident at a hospital, preparing to become a licensed dermatologist.

Linda said she can credit many people for helping her to become the young woman she is today. "But if I had to choose, it would be those from UrbanPromise. Whether it was Rolanda Sue for not only teaching me how to pump gas, but giving me lifelong advice, or a student affirming my place and impact in their life, or even the kind lady who delivered the kids' milk every morning, I don't think I would be nearly the same person as I am right now without their love, support and honesty."

"I will always remember that I am so much more than a mere statistic."

This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.