Alena was accepted into the University of Alabama Medical School even though she is more than 10 years younger than the average incoming medical student. Though the chances of Alena being accepted were slim as a black student and because of age, she was accepted based on her exceptional academic abilities.

Alena said she has always been interested in STEM(Science, Engineering, and Mathematics) since she was a little girl. Her passion for the STEM field earned her an internship at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for 11 years.

She made history as the youngest intern of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. While an intern at NASA, Alena worked on various assignments including remote research for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge, California.

Alena expressed her gratitude to her mother for believing in her, and also for her support and guidance ever since she found out about her potential.

”Mama, I made it. I couldn’t have done it without you, you gave me every opportunity possible to be successful. You cheered me on, wiped my tears, gave me Oreos when I needed comfort, younever allowed me to settle, disciplined me when I needed, you are the best mother a kid could ever ask for. MAMA, I MADE IT,” she said.

Alena’s mother, Daphne McQuarter said she has always been gifted since she was a toddler. ”Even as a toddler, Alena was gifted, It was just how she did things and how advanced she was. She was reading chapter books, Daphne Mcquarter said.

Daphne added that Alena was bullied in high school for being too smart, that was when she decided to homeschool her which she did for several years. She said Alena returned back to normal schooling in fifth grade where she continued her advanced high school-level courses through a curriculum created by her.

Alena said she wants to grow up and be able to help and uplift other people around her. She added that the best way for her to accomplish her goal to help others professionally is through a medical profession and that was why she chose to become a Medical doctor.

She said she aims to become a Medical Doctor by the time she turns 18. Alena has earned several awards throughout her young life including being a finalist for Time’s Top Kid of the Year 2022 award.

“When I took my first biological class, I knew at that moment that this is what I’m supposed to be doing,” she said. “A big part of what I want to do is viral immunology, and I want to advocate for underrepresented communities that lack health care. It’s something that I’ve become passionate about,” she said.

Alena was accepted into the University of Alabama Medical School even though she is more than 10 years younger than the average incoming medical student. Though the chances of Alena being accepted were slim as a black student and because of age, she was accepted based on her exceptional academic abilities.

Alena said she has always been interested in STEM(Science, Engineering, and Mathematics) since she was a little girl. Her passion for the STEM field earned her an internship at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for 11 years.

She made history as the youngest intern of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. While an intern at NASA, Alena worked on various assignments including remote research for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge, California.

Alena expressed her gratitude to her mother for believing in her, and also for her support and guidance ever since she found out about her potential.

”Mama, I made it. I couldn’t have done it without you, you gave me every opportunity possible to be successful. You cheered me on, wiped my tears, gave me Oreos when I needed comfort, younever allowed me to settle, disciplined me when I needed, you are the best mother a kid could ever ask for. MAMA, I MADE IT,” she said.

Alena’s mother, Daphne McQuarter said she has always been gifted since she was a toddler. ”Even as a toddler, Alena was gifted, It was just how she did things and how advanced she was. She was reading chapter books, Daphne Mcquarter said.

Daphne added that Alena was bullied in high school for being too smart, that was when she decided to homeschool her which she did for several years. She said Alena returned back to normal schooling in fifth grade where she continued her advanced high school-level courses through a curriculum created by her.

Alena said she wants to grow up and be able to help and uplift other people around her. She added that the best way for her to accomplish her goal to help others professionally is through a medical profession and that was why she chose to become a Medical doctor.

She said she aims to become a Medical Doctor by the time she turns 18. Alena has earned several awards throughout her young life including being a finalist for Time’s Top Kid of the Year 2022 award.

“When I took my first biological class, I knew at that moment that this is what I’m supposed to be doing,” she said. “A big part of what I want to do is viral immunology, and I want to advocate for underrepresented communities that lack health care. It’s something that I’ve become passionate about,” she said.