March Alumni Spotlight: Erma Parrish (Wheaton High School)

LP shines this month's Alumni Spotlight on Erma Parrish, Alumna of our Civics and Citizenship program at Wheaton High School and current LP Mentor.

A 2015 Graduate of McDaniel College, Erma received her Bachelors in Social Work and a minor in Sociology and Women Studies and is currently working towards a Master's Degree.

We spoke to Erma about her journey and here is what she had to say:

“I was born in the Philippines and came to the US when I was 14-years-old. I decided to attend LP’s after-school program because I didn’t want to go home right after school. At that time, my family and I were living in a basement and LP became a safe space that I could go to after a long day of school. In the program, I learned about American culture through field trips, hands-on activities, and from other students, we had a diverse group of kids in the room. I enjoyed hearing from guest speakers; they became role models and encouraged me that regardless of our “minority” label we are a big part of this country. I also enjoyed the field trips; they helped ease my anxiety about exploring my new home and community. 

I attended McDaniel College on a full-ride due to enough scholarships. During my time there, I volunteered at the Ambassador for Admission Office and became a mentor for student engagement. After college, I decided to pursue my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and met and married a wonderful and genuine man in October of 2018. In the second year of our marriage, July 2020, yes during the COVID-19 pandemic, we bought our first home. 

Currently, I am working at “Together We Own It”, a non-profit organization that works with children and families to address mental health, academic, and poverty using a restorative justice approach. We also work with youth that are incarcerated or at risk to be in DJS, Department of Juvenile Services and provide resources such as free food and clothing to our families in need.

I want to remind younger alumni that it will be so easy to collect and carry around achievements after achievements because we believe you have what it takes to pursue anything you find interesting in life or during your time in college; but please don’t forget the most important part of it all - the self. I hope everyone is doing their self-care and managing their mental health because at the end of the day who you are will take you farther than any achievement or success. Understanding the “Who am I?” piece without the grade, the medal, the title, the income, the busy schedule, etc. will be your tool in life and the most important investment you can ever have."