Alumna Spotlight - Ysmeen Jilani

Today we are shining the spotlight on one of our DRSS alumni, Ysmeen Jilani, who was a member of the first DRSS graduating class back in 2013. Ysmeen is pursuing a degree in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy at Wilmington, although currently she is attending classes at Sinclair Community Colleges to earn credits that will transfer to her program at Wilmington. Currently she is taking a Medical Terminology class, a Philosophy course, and an Algebra course. While going to school, she is also working as a math tutor at Sinclair's Math Academy, where she helps fellow college students struggling with math homework.

Ysmeen Jilani, Class of 2013, came in to work with current DRSS students during the month of October.

Ysmeen was actually back at DRSS twice in the past couple of weeks, once to attend the first-ever DRSS alumni homecoming party, and a second time to volunteer with current DRSS students by providing them with feedback on their Plate Tectonics project.

During her visit, Ysmeen was one of many DRSS alumni and community volunteers who came to critique student work.

While she was here, she couldn't help but reminisce about some of the classes she took at DRSS that helped her prepare for college. "Ms. Reid did a great job of teaching the terms I'm using in my  Medical Terminology class. Whenever a professor breaks something down, you can use those Latin or Greek words anywhere. Ms. Reid saved me on that!"

Ysmeen also believes that the internship experience she completed with Rob Dement, who at the time was the Athletic Director of West Carrollton, (and now Athletic Director at Centerville) gave her a "better idea of what it takes to go into the athletics world, particularly from the business side and from the trainer point of view." Ysmeen completed this experience during her DRSS-required high school internship experience, and in the process learned about the day-to-day demands of the job, like handling money, communicating with other schools, and handling the problems that athletic directors have to deal with every day.

Ysmeen stays active volunteering as well, and she does a lot with her church. At the Living Word Church, in Vandalia, she helps with the youth program known as "Impact," primarily working with 9th-12th graders as a mentor. She also helps teach them lessons about responsibility. In discussing the importance of the program, Ysmeen reflected that "the way I've seen the students change is dramatic, the program has had a huge impact on their life." She enjoys being able to give the students a perspective of someone who has been there and is able to provide advice.

When asked about what it's like coming back to the school to volunteer, Ysmeen said, "it's definitely different! Seeing the way the school has grown since I started to attend here in 2009 is a different atmosphere, especially since it goes from grades 6-12 now. There's more opportunity as the school keeps growing, and there are more ways for students to get involved past graduation."

Ysmeen came back with Kiera Cindric (left) and Evan Schultz (right) after a call went out on the DRSS Alumni Network looking for alumni volunteers. Thank you to all of our awesome alumni for their help!

We are gratful for Ysmeen's involvement at DRSS, and are thankful for all of our alumni who have come back to volunteer at the school!

If you're a DRSS alum who is looking to get involved, please contact Community Outreach Director, Arch Grieve, and ask about being added to the DRSS Alumni Network! You can reach him at arch.grieve@wright.edu.