Long-Term Impact:
What does it mean to strike out on your own and move beyond the limits that others have placed upon you? That’s the question that Jacob Sweet had to answer daily as he’s grown and matured into a young man while mentored through The L.O.T Initiative. I first met Jacob when he was still in High school with peach fuzz on his face and a sly smile to go along with his humor.
After several years as a L.O.T Initiative mentee and scholarship award recipient, he has grown into a young man with a very bright future. He’s been accepted into medical school and regularly gives back to the community while serving his high school Alma-mater. He is a testament to what the L.O.T Initiative does on a daily basis by equipping future heroes and the next generation for life’s possibilities. For that reason Jake Sweet is the 2019 Hero Award recipient for the Leaders of Tomorrow Initiative.
Who:
So Jake, tell our readers a little bit about where you are these days and what has been happening. Well, I finished up my senior year at Akron and began applying for medical schools. One thing that I learned is that I was really unprepared for college and had to learn from my peers and others around me what it was going to take in order to be successful. I really buckled down, but was still able to do hunting and fishing which are things I love to do.
How:
Jake, how has being involved in the LOT Initiative mentoring program helped you? Really appreciate all the things that you guys have done for me. From the scholarships, to advocating for me with schools and just the support. I recognized that I needed balance and now I’m doing it and giving back as well. I’m volunteering 26 hours at a local hospital to see the healthcare environment and atmosphere.
What:
Jake, what are your plans and next steps for moving forward? I will graduate with a Biology degree and now preparing to sit for the MCAT. I’m applying to medical schools (Ohio University and NEO Med in Youngstown) and will then move into five years of residency to become a surgeon.
Update:
I was placed on the wait list for OU’s medical school, and did not receive any word all summer, so I decided to pursue my back up plan which was a 1 year program at a school in Blacksburg, VA called Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. I have reapplied to the class of 2022 at OU, and if that does not work out, there is a seat in medical school waiting for me down here. When I eventually get accepted into medical school I will still be pursuing the Army plan we had talked about previously. If you guys are ever in Blacksburg or in the area let me know!
Congratulations on all of your success so far Jake! Please join us here at the Leaders of Tomorrow Initiative by praying for this young man and the next steps he has for his life!
