BASIS Oro Valley alumni, Julianna Shrader ’24, will be graduating from the University of Arizona this winter with a B.A. in Law and Psychology. While completing her undergraduate studies, Shrader took on the opportunity to work in Brazil as a part of the Boren Scholarship, a prestigious and rigorous program dedicated to supporting undergraduates while they study abroad and work in public service industries. For Shrader, this was the perfect opportunity for her to pursue her passions in international studies while connecting with her Brazilian heritage. The criteria to be eligible for this scholarship include submitting four different letters of recommendation, personal essays, cover letters, and a language proficiency test. The work doesn’t stop there, throughout her yearlong stay abroad, Shrader says she’s required to take a language proficiency test every three months to ensure that she is making progress learning Portuguese. Additionally, once the study-abroad program is completed, scholars must pursue a federal career for at least 12 months. For Shrader, this is the next step in her five-year plan of becoming an international civil rights attorney.
Shrader’s high level of accountability and dedication to her chosen field can be traced back to Shrader’s time at BASIS Oro Valley.
“I had a strong support system from BASIS. When I did have doubts, there was someone there encouraging me, pushing me through and telling me, ‘if this is what you want to do then this is what you’re meant to do,’” says Shrader.
“The close network of teachers, students, and parents helped me stay focused,” she added.
Shrader speaks highly of her College Counselor, Ms. Fluitt, who played a vital role in the lives of many students at BASIS Oro Valley. Ms. Fluitt, along with the other College Counselors, are the “unsung heroes”, according to Shrader, at BASIS Charter Schools. They dedicate their time and efforts to making students shine and are committed to helping students achieve their college dreams.
“I could talk about her for days and days,” says Shrader, “Ms. Fluitt is a person that made me feel confident in myself and helped me realize that I am important in and out of academic life. She helped me learn that life is what you make of it.”
The future is bright for Julianna Shrader as she completes this once in a lifetime opportunity in Brazil. She has plans to attend law school, build a home, and continue her journey in international relations.
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