LAFAYETTE, La. – Most parents and guidance counselors advise high school seniors to apply to more than one college — to have at least one “backup school.”
Entrepreneurship and hard work are her family’s traits. They set goals and write them on white boards they keep around the house.
“Then we help each other to accomplish them,” Gary said.
Her mom home-schools about 12 kids in addition to her son, Payton. They’re always working, learning and volunteering, putting their business profits back into the community, Gary said.
And the family balances the workload of school and home businesses with a chronic illness. Since she was a little girl, Cormier’s immune system has not been able to fight sickness, which has resulted in asthma and chronic skin issues.
She has been hospitalized many times, at least twice this year, her mom said, and spent much of Friday having blood work done to check her white blood cells. But she’ll smile, as she describes it, true to her mission of inspiring others.
“Since I was a child, I was always in and out of the hospital,” Cormier said. “When I was young, it affected my self-esteem. But now I can use it to inspire others.”
She had many options for this fall, but Cormier had to choose one. She landed on Xavier University of Louisiana, a private historically black university in New Orleans that offered her a full ride — as did 16 other schools.
“It was an easy decision,” Cormier said, but not because of the money. Xavier is well-known for its “pipeline” of African-American graduates to medical school and those students’ success rates.
Because she wants to be a doctor, it made perfect sense.
“Xavier’s goals align with mine,” she added.
Her time in the hospital, both as a patient and a volunteer, led her to choose that path. She has been mentored by medical and other STEM professionals.
“She wants to continue to inspire children,” Gary said.
“To want more for themselves and for their education,” Cormier said to finish her mom’s sentence.
I love me some gooooooooood food!!!!!!! Recently, after one of my fitness classes, during our wind down open discussion, a lady brought up this new meal program that she had tried and I was convinced to give it a try as well. The program is called Nashville's Top Chefs, NashTopChef for short (that's also the … Continue reading A New Kind Of Taste
It's a brand new day, a brand new month, it's SPRING! Be Bright! First, let me start by saying my heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ermias Asghedom, best known as Nipsey Hussle, rapper, songwriter, philanthropist, peace maker. As I'm sure everyone knows by now, but if you don't, he … Continue reading Words From Me!
Cardi B will soon be a movie star. The “Bodak Yellow” rapper will appear in the new movie “Hustlers” with Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu. Actress KeKe Palmer will also be featured in the film which is inspired by a group of strip club employees who flipped the script on their Wall Street employees back… via … Continue reading Cardi B. Will Star In “Hustlers” Movie With Jennifer Lopez — K97.5
It’s a new year, and for most, a new year means a new beginning. This is the time of year when people set goals to be accomplished. People do many different things to get their goals set in place for the New Year. One of the current popular things to do for setting goals is … Continue reading Ready, Set, Goals!
Microsoft finally opened a store in Nashville, Tennessee. The store is located in Green Hills Mall. Funny thing, it is located directly above the Apple Store. The Grand Opening experience was so much fun, it was definitely a party. There were so many people, and music speakers from one end to the next. During this … Continue reading Microsoft Store Grand Opening-Nashville, TN
Hello World, Well I do not know where to begin. So many different things have been going on. Of course, I am not speaking of myself when I say that. The killings that have occured throughout this country this week are so saddening. The entire situation is sad and unfortunately, it continues to get worse … Continue reading Words From Me!
A new historical novel about Thomas Jefferson is raising eyebrows. Stephen O’Connor’s Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings, which came out on Tuesday, is about our third president’s relationship with Sally Hemings, his slave. DNA evidence has proved that Jefferson and Hemings had six children together while Jefferson kept Hemings enslaved — and Jefferson also enslaved their children, freeing … Continue reading Thomas Jefferson spent years raping his slave Sally Hemings. A new novel treats their relationship as a love story.
Hey everyone, I can not believe that Thursday came so fast. I have been so busy, it literally just crept up on me. Well a little update I'm still working out and now I've added strength. I think I'm doing more strength workouts, which is not that bad but it is not good. I need … Continue reading Words From Me!
© Chantelle Gary Normandie Cormier, 18, graduated from Early College Academy and South Louisiana Community College. She has been accepted to more than 100 colleges and awarded millions in scholarships. She’s decided to attend Xavier University in New Orleans this fall in her path to become a doctor.
Just Rocky 