UNMC Community Academy student named national scholar

Shabazz Ramsey, right, learns how to take blood pressure of Timothy Alexander.

Shabazz Ramsey, a senior at Omaha Central High School, and a four-year member of UNMC’s Community Academy program, was selected last month for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). NSHSS Honorary Chairman Claes Nobel, a senior member in the namesake family of the Nobel Prize, made the announcement.

The NSHSS was founded to recognize outstanding academic performance among high school students. Membership is by invitation only and includes valuable scholarships, networking opportunities, publications and all-expenses-paid trips to national events.

“Shabazz has been with Community Academy since the fall of 1999,” said Lisa Jewell, director of Community Academy. “During this time, we have watched him develop into a key member of the program.”

Ramsey has served as vice president of the UNMC Community Student Advisory Group since 2001. In this capacity, he assists Jewell’s staff in developing topics and planning the Academy program; coordinates and participates in volunteer activities at the UNMC Youth Learning Center and throughout the community; and serves as a role model and leader for his fellow academy participants.

Shabazz Ramsey, left, teaches Colin Suiter how to research medical terminology.

Ramsey received the UNMC Youth Learning Center “Outstanding Mentoring and Leadership Award” in 2001 (only three students were selected out of 65). He has been featured in at least two Omaha television news features about Community Academy.

He also is one of the first five high school students from North Omaha to be sent to Gilbert Academy, a nationally-acclaimed college-prep summer program sponsored by Dillard University, in New Orleans, La. UNMC and Dillard have a formal affiliation agreement to provide summer research internships and faculty exchanges. As part of the agreement, Dillard administrators also provide support for five minority Omaha Public School students to spend the summer on their campus taking a curriculum designed to enhance their interest and ability to go to college.

During his years at Central, Ramsey has received the President’s Education Award; Alpha Phi Alpha Outstanding Scholarship and Leadership Award; Rotary Honor Roll; William L. Gilbert Academy 2002 Emergent Scholar Award; Tri-M Music Honor Society; National Honor Society; and varsity letters in football for three years.

“We are very proud of Shabazz’s accomplishments thus far,” Jewell said. “Far too often we hear reports of the negative actions of young people. Today it’s even more important for parents, teachers, community leaders and the media to recognize and acknowledge those young people who are on the right track and making a difference.

“When assistance is needed, Shabazz’s hand is always one of the first ones raised. He is a mover and shaker and has what it takes to succeed at whatever he chooses to do with his life. He is one of our shining stars.”