Ono Abhulimen
When Michael and Jasmine Abhulimen had a daughter 18 years ago, they named her Onolunosen, which means “those who do good things will reap good things in return.”
“My parents were proud to write it down on my birth certificate with the deep belief that my name was a part of my destiny. They believed that my name would bestow a path to finding meaning and doing well towards others,” said Onolunosen Abhulimen, who goes by Ono.
With a long list of academic accolades, community service and an associate degree already under her belt, Abhulimen is well on her way to embodying her name. In high school, she balanced community college classes, a starting position on the varsity basketball team, Science Olympiad club activities and other volunteer work. It was difficult and required Herculean time management skills, but Abhulimen’s intellectual curiosity and zeal helped her persevere and find success. Attending East Carolina University and becoming an EC Scholar is another step in that direction.
“ECU is a place that I see myself going to school. I love everything about the campus because it feels conducive for learning and interaction,” she said. “EC Scholars presents not only an opportunity for academic excellence but an amazing opportunity to embrace my desire to lead through community engagement. Because of this, I know I will flourish and grow not only as a student but as a person.”
EC Scholars is 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 an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
At ECU, Abhulimen plans to study biology and is an Early Assurance in Medicine scholar. The program is offered jointly by the Honors College and the Brody School of Medicine for students who are interested in medical school after they complete their undergraduate degree.
“I would like to go into the pediatric field or neonatal care. I love working with kids and babies. I think pediatricians or neonatologists are some of the happiest physicians and was very inspired when I shadowed with them over three summers while I volunteered at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital,” Abhulimen said.
In addition, she aspires to use her degrees to address health disparities. “Like Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘Of all the forms of injustice, inequality in health care is the most cruel and inhumane.’ I want to change those inequalities in North Carolina, and I know I will receive the tools to help me accomplish this goal at ECU,” she said.
This summer, Abhulimen is taking an EMS course and learning about emergency medicine and response techniques — and looking forward to ECU in the fall, she said.
“I can’t wait to attend my first ECU football game and experience ECU traditions like homecoming, Halloween Havoc, Pirates After Dark, Pirate Palooza, Barefoot on the Mall and many more!”
“I want to change (health) inequalities in North Carolina, and I know I will receive the tools to help me accomplish this goal at ECU.”
High school: Mount Tabor High School
Intended major: Biology
Hometown: Winston-Salem