Bloom Student Raising Money to Attend National Leadership Forum

Mariah Casarez, a soft-spoken sophomore at Bloom High School, is one step closer to her dream of becoming a forensic scientist.

She was nominated by her teacher, Natalie Coleman, to attend a 10-day national leadership forum on medicine in Washington D.C. this summer.

"Being a sophomore and being chosen for this wasn't something I expected," Mariah said. "You don't normally get nominated as a sophomore."

Now that she's been chosen, Mariah has to raise the money to go on the trip to Washington, and she's called upon local businesses to see if they will support her. Because Mariah is kept busy at school and at home, she has enlisted the help of her grandmother, Seventh Ward Ald. Sylvia Torres.

"I can't really go places because I have siblings to watch." Mariah said. "But Ald. Torres has been helping me by talking to people."

Mariah has a strong track record of volunteering and helping others. She took part in Bloom's program to help local senior citizens in December, in which the school gave out gift cards from several area stores.

Guidance Counselor Elizabeth Fushi-Peterson supported Mariah's nomination. "She's a great candidate," Fushi-Peterson said. "She's one of our little volunteer champions."

The aspiring scientist stays busy, and it's all with her future goals in mind.

"I don't just do one thing," Mariah said. "I do a lot."

Mariah's goal is to raise $3,500 by April 13. Anyone interested in helping her out can make out his or her donation to Bloom High School, noting that it's for Mariah Casarez. You can also contact Elizabeth Fushi-Peterson at efushi@sd206.org for more information.