Choctaw member Bailee Hopkins accepted to Cornell
This fall, many Choctaws will begin their first semester of college. It is an increasing trend for young Choctaws to seek higher education at some of America’s finest institutions. One such student is Bailee Hopkins of Douglas County, Colo., who has recently been accepted to Cornell University.
Hopkins’ acceptance to such a significant institution can be attributed to her exceptional resume of volunteer work and community involvement. Also, utilizing services through the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) allowed her to make a personal connection directly to Cornell’s recruitment staff.
Harboring dreams of becoming a medical doctor, Hopkins made ample effort to ensure she would receive a proper education. “I had no idea where I was going to be accepted, as most of the schools I liked had extremely low acceptance rates. So to be sure I could achieve my dream of becoming a medical doctor, I applied to many schools and was pleasantly surprised by the amazing and overwhelming outcome,” stated Hopkins.
Because of her extensive efforts, she was accepted to a dozen institutions from New York to California and even Hawaii. Those efforts included a large amount of volunteer work and attendance to medical and nutritional seminars with her father, Dr. Paul Hopkins.
“My knowledge of functional medicine, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and epigenetics is ever expanding since I began attending these extracurricular classes,” stated Hopkins, who is certified in Level 1 Functional Medicine as a result of her dedication.
“That’s what stood out to me,” stated Kathy Halbig, student development specialist for the Cornell American Indian Program, as she commented on Hopkins’ evident interest in her desired field of education. These extra efforts show that she has real interest and gives her talking points when interviewing, according to Halbig.
“After listening to [Halbig’s] presentation and meeting with her personally, I was absolutely ready to attend Cornell that evening. She was very instrumental, kind and helpful in my decision to attend Cornell,” stated Hopkins, who had met Halbig at the 2013 Ivy League and Friends event hosted by CNO. “My favorite part about Cornell is their strong Native American program with many clubs, a Native housing building [Akwe:kon the Residential Native American Program House] and being able to acquire a minor in American Indian Studies.”
Halbig went on to mention that Hopkins had done substantial research before meeting at the Ivy League event. Her prior investigation and knowledge of the particulars of Cornell had given her an edge. Students like Bailee ask the right questions, according to Halbig.
Hopkins attributes her strong start in education to her homeschooling. “Homeschooling allowed me to take numerous advanced courses. I was able to tailor my education to my needs as a dyslexic and move more quickly through academia,” declared Hopkins as she praised the customizability of her education. “This also helped with time for extracurricular and volunteering activities.”
Those volunteer efforts included work with churches, animal rescue, teaching local children baton twirling, tutoring French and mathematics and assisting the Chaparral Marching Band with their fundraising at a local pool snack stand and firework stand.
Within her animal rescue activities, Hopkins organized a community outreach group in her youth to save and train homeless kittens. “This is a caring and fun group that has gradually grown into an important and giving experience,” mentioned Hopkins. “This is a very challenging, fun and rewarding activity that is close to my heart,” she continued.
Another form of volunteerism that has meant a great deal to Hopkins is her time dedicated to the Chaparral High School Marching Band, raising funds through work at the Snack Shack. Her work, which consists of stocking shelves, ordering new inventory, etc., has raised money the band has used for uniforms and travel expenses.
“The most unique aspect of my community service for Chaparral’s marching band is that I am not a member of their band,” Hopkins declared. One week each summer while the band is at camp, Hopkins keeps the Snack Shack operational, which allows for continual fund generation and permits each band member to attend the camp. “I am honored to be a part of the Chaparral Band’s fundraising and to support our community.”
Hopkins was raised by her father, whom she admires and accredits many of her traits. “He has taught me the virtues to be kind, work hard, use honesty and integrity, to study hard to be a success, and always help people with little means,” she stated.
When Hopkins is not volunteering or attending medical seminars, her hobbies include baton twirling, dance and playing the violin and piano. She is excited to put her outgoing spirit and work ethic to use at Cornell as she pursues her goal of becoming a medical doctor with hopes to practice medicine at Native clinics.