Class of 2021: Jamila Epps, Glades Central High School valedictorian
Editor's note: The Palm Beach Post is running profiles of the Class of 2021 valedictorians from district-run traditional high schools. Read them all here.
Boosting awareness and treatment of mental illness is the goal of Jamila Epps, valedictorian at Glades Central High School.
“A lot of progress is happening. We have many more treatments for mental illness. But we need to be more accepting and less judgmental,” said Jamila, 18, a lifelong resident of Belle Glade.
Jamila plans on majoring in neurology and neurosurgery at Florida Atlantic University. Neurology involves the study, diagnosis and treatment of the nervous system -- including the brain, spinal cord, and central and peripheral nervous system.
More:Class of 2021: Palm Beach County high school valedictorians
Family and community involvement with mental disorders is Jamila's motivation to take up the field. She wants to do research on schizophrenia, a disease she has had much experience in.
“Too many people think if you have a mental illness, you are sick and there is nothing you can do. People just want to get away from you. That needs to change,” Jamila said.
She is the first in her family to go into the medical field. Her sister, Camilia, majored in public relations at the University of Florida. Her mother, Elizabeth, is a retired substitute teacher. Her father, Jeff, is a U.S. military veteran and construction worker.
Jamila's weighted GPA is 5.0. The lowest grade she has ever received is a "C" in 10th grade. She brought that up to a "B" the next semester.
“At the time, I couldn’t keep up with it. It was difficult year,” she said.
Jamila credits her desire to help her family and community with giving her the drive to become valedictorian.
Research to improve the lives of people with cognitive disorders is her long-range goal.
“Living with people with mental illness has provided me with inspiration to help them improve their lives. I want to do research to flesh out the disorder and make a difference,” Jamila. said.
Who is your hero?
Definitely my dad, who goes above and beyond for my family, despite many mental and financial challenges that he has to deal with. He is one of the main reasons that I keep going.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is "Booksmart." It touches on the toxicities of certain aspects of high school from a comedic and self-aware viewpoint.
What are your hobbies?
Reading, writing, and playing games.
What do you do to get away or take a break?
Between reading digital books or writing songs and poetry, I also like to play games. Sometimes they’re puzzle games, or management games or simulation games. Sometimes it’s more intense than relaxing, but it is a much-needed refresher after a long day.
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?
I would have dinner with Claudette Colvin. Her insight and struggles during the peak period for civil rights would be an enlightening dinner conversation, especially considering that she was a teenager at the time.
What is the best advice you ever received?
An old teacher of mine once said that you don’t need to lose your edge to become well-rounded, and it is something I refer to in moments that I feel like letting go of who I am for something that demands it.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is the "Bloodbound" series by the writers at Pixelberry Studios. It’s a non-traditional book since it is more of an interactive graphic novel, but I find that it holds its own with the substance and expertly crafted lore that reimagines the struggles of our society.
What is your favorite memory?
Playing dominos with my dad and his friends when I was 7. It was a rare opportunity considering he often worked a lot.
How do you feel about possibly having a virtual graduation ceremony instead of an in-person event?
Having a virtual graduation ceremony isn’t ideal because of the opportunity an in-person event brings. It is sort of like my own family reunion. This year, I would’ve been able to see my best friends for the first time in person, and I would be able to see my father, who I don’t get to see as often. A virtual graduation would take that opportunity from me and hold less emotional value.
How do you feel about spending your last year of high school mostly isolated from friends because of coronavirus?
It’s sort of odd, but it doesn’t feel as upsetting or bittersweet. I don’t have many in-person friends, just two, and if anything, it has been refreshing to just spend time with them at home and be able to video-chat with them during class as if they were actually there.