Sagemont Prep Alumni Spotlight

Erica Merlino, Class of 2016

Undergraduate: New York University

Psychology & Chemistry

Completion of a 2-year Liberal Arts Program

Graduate: Currently a Medical Student at the FIU

Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Life After Sagemont:

"I got accepted into my dream university in my dream city, which opened up a world of amazing opportunities and fostered a diverse, vibrant experience. After graduating college at the height of the pandemic (with my father handing me my diploma in the living room, of course), I am now nearly halfway through my medical school education! When the COVID-19 vaccination became readily available, I was fortunate enough to be able to help administer vaccines at local clinics and women's homeless shelters such as the Lotus House. I've been involved in medical school as the president of the Internal Medicine Interest Group and the Outreach Coordinator of the Mobile Mammography Initiative -- an organization supporting the Linda Fenner Mobile Mammography Center. The Linda Fenner Mobile Mammography Center has provided over 6000 free mammograms to uninsured women in Miami Dade County since its inception in 2014. Through this experience, I have been invited to give speeches in coordination with the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Miami."

How did Sagemont ignite your passions?

"Sagemont fostered my creativity from the very beginning. I was never put in a box and made to stick to one passion -- I could explore the arts and be quite involved in theatre while delving into my love for biology, chemistry, and physics. Sagemont was such a uniquely wonderful educational opportunity -- where one could win a Cappie for a role such as Helen Keller in the Miracle Worker and then attend a Science Honor Society meeting the next day. My passion for the intersection of the arts and sciences was ignited at Sagemont and then came to fruition at NYU -- where I put this passion at the forefront of my undergraduate education. Sagemont, and its outstanding faculty members, never gave me any inkling that I couldn't live out my wildest dreams. Their support encouraged me at 18 years old to move from Weston to New York City by myself, and I will always be eternally grateful for that."

"Ms. Sponnable and Ms. Garrard! Ms. Sponnable worked diligently and took every student from a competent high school writer to someone who understands, enjoys, and can dissect philosophy, art, poetry, and literature. She truly believes in her students and encourages them to reach their highest potential. It wasn’t until my first semester of undergrad that I truly understood how lucky I was to have Ms. Sponnable as a teacher and a mentor. Ms. Garrard fostered my love for theatre and was integral in my transformation from a shy 6th grader to a confident graduate. Most of my fondest memories of Sagemont all involve my time learning from her, and I will always be thankful for my experience."

Words of Advice:

"Live beyond your comfort zone. Comfort is truly the antithesis of success. Stay true to yourself always…but move to that city, take that job, and live your life with purpose!"