Erica Allen's four years at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High were nothing short of transformative.
"I think this is a great high school to experience diversity before going to college, allowing you to speak to different people with different backgrounds and gain new perspectives," Erica says. "There are always ups and downs, but I've grown so much here."
When she started as a freshman, Erica was quiet and reserved. But with the support of her teachers and access to Southeast's rigorous curriculum and career-focused programs, she found both her voice and her calling. This fall, she'll attend NC State University as a recipient of the prestigious Park Scholarship, where she plans to study architecture.
Erica hopes to be a role model for her younger brother and live up to the high expectations set by her teachers.
"Even though she is a natural leader, she is not someone who craves the spotlight," says Mallory Simmons, Erica's IB Language and Literature teacher." She wants to lead for the betterment of her community, not for self-glory."
Erica embraced every opportunity Southeast offered. She excelled as a two-sport varsity athlete, an International Baccalaureate (IB) student, Student Body Vice President, and valedictorian.
A pathway to purpose
Southeast's specialized programs played a key role in shaping Erica's ambitions. Through the school's Project Lead The Way Engineering Academy, she completed two internships with Raleigh-based firms Moseley Architects and SfL+a Architects.
There, she worked on projects for schools across the state and contributed to urban design concepts, including walkways and entertainment centers in downtown Raleigh.
Her passion for urban planning was further enriched by her involvement in Southeast's language programs. Erica studied Japanese all four years and served as president of the Japanese National Honor Society.
"In my 22 years of advising the JNHS, I have not had a president as proactive or involved as she has been," says Crystal Molina, her Japanese teacher and club advisor.
Erica's extracurriculars included volunteering at the Beyond the Book Festival and assisting with Southeast's International Film Festival, activities that broadened her cultural awareness and community engagement.
A family affair
Erica followed in the footsteps of her older sister Erin, who graduated from Southeast in 2023. "It wasn't really a push to get involved," Erica says with a laugh. "It was more like a requirement."
Despite their similar paths, Erica says they are "totally different people," which gave her space to carve her own identity at Southeast – and now, pave the way for her younger brother, Evan.
"For my younger brother, being a role model is everything," she says. "He wants to go into engineering, so I want to make sure he has the resources and support to get there."
Looking ahead
After considering other universities, including some in the Ivy League, Erica chose to stay close to home, drawn by the opportunities offered through the Park Scholarship at NC State.
The program provides a full scholarship, enrichment grants, mentoring, and leadership development.
She's also continuing a family tradition – her father attended NC State in the 1980s.
Looking back, Erica has simple advice for her freshman self: "Be disciplined, but remain easy on yourself. High school is supposed to be some of the best four years of you life, so take the time to enjoy it."
Thanks to Southeast Raleigh Magnet High, she did just that – and built the foundation for an even brighter future.
