Brinkley-Lane Profile: Korina Cortezano
A dedicated high school band member, Korina “Kori” Cortezano got word that the band was short a tuba player.
A seasoned baritone player and two-year drum major, Cortezano had no tuba experience but jumped at the chance to help her band.
“I was out there marching with a 70-pound instrument on my shoulder,” she laughed, “but I was persistent. I was going to learn how to play, I was going to do it well, and it ended up working out.”
Cortezano uses that same “step-up” attitude to every challenge she encounters in life, and she is eager to push her own boundaries when she arrives on East Carolina University’s campus this fall.
Cortezano, the daughter of Rommel and Rachel Cortezano, is a member of the newest cohort of Brinkley-Lane Scholars, the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students and unique high impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Cortezano said. “It gives me the opportunity to meet so many new people and the opportunity for my own personal growth.”
When Cortezano opened her acceptance letter, it not only brightened a bad day she was having, but it also nudged the trajectory of her future. She had been feeling led to ECU after several “signs” she felt throughout the school year.
“I screamed and started crying,” she said. “When I went to interview for the scholarship, I loved every minute of it. I loved how everyone was so welcoming and so excited for me to be there.”
Cortezano is a declared nursing major and is working on becoming a certified nursing assistant now through a program at her high school. The experience she has gained through those efforts cemented her desire to become a nurse.
“I’ve wanted to be a nurse for a very long time,” she said.
While she wants to take advantage of activities and opportunities on campus, she also has her sights set on study abroad opportunities.
“I’ve decided I definitely want to go somewhere in Europe,” she said, possibly for a summer nursing program. “I lived in Japan for three years and we went to a lot of Asian countries while we were there, but I haven’t been anywhere in Europe.”
This summer, Cortezano will work in a restaurant before she heads to campus. She also has designs on starting an ECU chapter of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA); she would like to see her empowering experiences through HOSA conferences and competitions extend to the university level, which other institutions take part in already.
She also plans to use that same creative mindset in nursing and in leadership.
“Nurses are on the front lines, and I love that,” Cortezano said. “I’d like to make an impact on others’ lives.”
“This scholarship gives me the opportunity to meet new people and the opportunity for my own personal growth.”
High school: John A. Holmes High School
Intended major: Nursing
Current City: Edenton