Ms Connelly,
My name is MIchelle Alonzi. I graduated from School of St. Mary in Lake Forest and Lake Forest High School class of 2017. I am a 23 year old soon to be graduate of Loyola University of Chicago ('22 ). My degrees will be a Psychology major with a minor in Social Work. I began my studies at Portland State University in Portland. OR, but during my Freshman year, decided to focus on Social Work, thus my transfer to Loyola, where I also plan to pursue my MSW.
As a young child, I spent some time in the burn unit at Loyola Hospital and recalled the wonderful social workers. The summer after my transfer from Portland in 2018, my grandmother entered hospice care. At this point, I decided to finish my gen ed courses through CLC so I could spend 4 days a week with her at the end of her life. The hospice social workers also imprinted on me. At the beginning of Covid, I entered Loyola. Since I had so many psychology credits, I decided to finish out this degree. This did delay my ability to switch to Loyola's 5 year MSW track, hence, my rather delayed start to having been assigned an internship. I feel passionate about my SW path and do not shy from perseverance or changes in plans.
I believe my life experiences have prepared my for:
* Working in uncertain situations
* A need for compassion and patience
* Working and advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves
* Sensitivity to different cultures, races, and abilities
* Working within a Catholic values framework
