Monroeville scholarship recipient plans to keep giving back

Monroeville resident Enysah Roberts is all about giving back, and she plans to study subjects that will help her continue to do so.

“I’m really interested in medicine and science and just helping people out, and I feel like medicine is the best way to do that,” she said. “I think that volunteering ties into my desire to help people, as well, because of the ways you can give back to your community.”

She was recognized for her contributions to the local community as the debutante with the most volunteer hours at the Cinderella Ball in June.

Roberts completed 60 hours and earned a $1,000 scholarship to be put toward her tuition at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where she plans to major in biochemistry on a pre-med track. She’s interested in becoming a surgeon or doing medical research.

“This really meant a lot to me and my parents because I’m trying to graduate college as debt-free as possible. So I appreciate this scholarship a lot,” Roberts said.

She was inspired to explore the research side of medicine through her time working with the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Her participation in the Cinderella Ball — the oldest charitable event in Pittsburgh has a Leadership Forum for Young Women that provides opportunities for volunteerism and personal development — opened her eyes to the joys of volunteering, and she said that she will definitely be looking for opportunities in college.

The process of volunteering has helped her realize that although she’s an introvert, she’s also a people person.

“I really loved getting to interact with people and make sure they were enjoying themselves,” Roberts said.

One of her favorite memories from volunteering at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium was running a craft table at the aquarium and getting to see all the kids exercise their creativity.

A 2023 graduate of The Ellis School in Shadyside, Roberts was captain of the basketball team, played soccer and flag football, and served as the vice president of the Black Student Union.

Her advice to potential debutantes and young girls looking to volunteer:

“Try not to just get a bunch of hours to make your resume look good. Do something that you actually will enjoy doing while giving back to your community.”