Fifth-Form student Nkem Ogbuefi '20 was awarded the Ali Sacco '05 Foundation Internship for 2019. The recipient of this award at Portsmouth Abbey School is chosen each year based on academic accomplishments and outstanding personal qualities. The internship affords the recipient the opportunity to shadow physicians and medical staff in the Cardiology Department at Children's Hospital for two weeks.

In her application letter to the Foundation, Nkem stated, "Becoming an agent of change is a goal that has guided me throughout my educational experience at Portsmouth Abbey, and I am excited about the possibility of becoming the next Ali Sacco intern. I am in awe of her extraordinary life and her special spirit of curiosity, enthusiasm, and generosity. The amazing chance to participate in the internship would be an enlightening and positive experience and would motivate me to take on the upcoming challenge of college and medical school in the future. This unique opportunity would help me build on knowledge acquired in my science classes, help me stir my passion for medicine, and enable me to do my part in making a difference in the world."

The Ali Sacco '05 Internship award was established by Children's Hospital in Boston in memory of Ali's spirit of curiosity, enthusiasm, and generosity. Ali was born with a rare and complicated congenital heart defect and died in December of 2003 during her Fifth-Form year at Portsmouth Abbey; she would have graduated with the Class of 2005. Ali's story is one of hope and her wonderful childhood made possible by the research, commitment and talent of the people at Boston Children's Hospital.

Congratulations, Kemkem!