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Rori Fararo-Brooks

6,005

Bold Points

7x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

My name is Rori Sung-Hye Fararo-Brooks. I am a queer, Korean-American adoptee who has lived in Anchorage, Berkeley, Worcester, Perth and currently reside in Brooklyn, New York. I am currently working full-time as an Advocate Counselor at Brooklyn Democracy Academy, a transfer high school assisting overaged and under credited students to graduate and transition into employment or postsecondary education. In this position, I am responsible for supporting students’ social-emotional learning and working with them to resolve interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts. I am also holding down a part-time job honing grant-writing skills with Barka, an impact fund dedicated to supporting African entrepreneurs’ efforts to scale environmental and climate solutions and build sustainable companies. I am passionate about neurodiversity and am a caretaker and tutor for students on the autism spectrum and those with different learning needs. A quote that has touched me and my teaching style is, "Nine-tenths of education is encouragement." In Fall 2022, I will be going back to school for my master's degree at Hunter College. I will be getting an MSW and eventually an LMSW to become a therapist for those most vulnerable. I intend to have a sliding scale in order to reach people of all incomes. I deeply believe mental health care should be accessible to all and not restricted to only those who can afford it. Thank you to this platform for providing scholarship opportunities for me and so many students.

Education

CUNY Hunter College

Master's degree program
2022 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Social Work

Clark University

Bachelor's degree program
2014 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Sociology

Institute For Collaborative Education

High School
2012 - 2014

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Sociology
    • Social Work
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Therapist

    • Dream career goals:

      Private Practice

    • Camp Counselor

      Camp Clio
      2020 – 20211 year
    • Tutor

      Self-Employed
      2020 – Present4 years
    • Summer Camp Administrator

      Vanderbilt YMCA
      2014 – 20151 year
    • Respite Counselor

      Maimonides Medical Center
      2021 – 2021
    • Analyst

      Barka
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Advocate Counselor

      New York Mission Society
      2021 – Present3 years

    Sports

    Basketball

    Club
    2014 – 20206 years

    Volleyball

    Junior Varsity
    2010 – 20122 years

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2010 – 20144 years

    Basketball

    Varsity
    2010 – 20144 years

    Research

    • Sociology

      Clark University — Student Researcher
      2018 – 2018

    Arts

    • International Center of Photography

      Photography
      2015 – 2015

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Habitat for Humanity International — Volunteer
      2012 – 2012
    • Public Service (Politics)

      Ross Barkan Campaign — Summer Intern
      2018 – 2018
    • Public Service (Politics)

      Christine Quinn Campaign — Summer Intern
      2013 – 2013
    • Volunteering

      Audrey Johnson Day Care Center — Assistant
      2014 – 2014

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Bold Encouraging Others Scholarship
    Winner
    Anatole France once said, “Nine-tenths of education is encouragement.” This is a belief I try to display and embody for all the students I work with. As an Advocate Counselor at a transfer high school, my most meaningful experiences have been supporting student’s social-emotional learning and growth inside and outside of the classroom. When students are struggling, I actively seek to address their concerns. An effective strategy I’ve found for building self-determination and boosting resilience is consistent encouragement. This past year, one of my most fulfilling experiences has been helping a student begin to come to terms with the trauma of abuse through writing. When I learned about a writing program I thought might suit her, I encouraged her to apply and helped with her application. I had never directly facilitated narrative therapy as a form of counseling and encouragement before. She went from traumatized and not being able to identify with aspects of her story, to fully engaging with and processing her experiences and reaching for a cathartic resolution. Helping this student go from disempowered and apprehensive to proud, self-assured, and self-advocating reaffirmed my passion for using encouragement as a method to inspire empowerment and motivation. Since then, she has been accepted to the Youth Communications NYC writing program. Continuing to support this student socially and academically has solidified my belief in the importance of encouragement. Every single one of us needs encouragement to help us strive and reach our full potential.