AUM Foundation boosts Lasonya Spears’ efforts in school, workplace
Lasonya Spears enrolled in the Pathway 2 Success program offered by the AUM Foundation and now is studying in the surgical scrub tech program at Huntsville Hospital. CONTRIBUTED
Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
8:24 pm Friday, December 10, 2021

AUM Foundation boosts Lasonya Spears’ efforts in school, workplace

MADISON – Lasonya Spears, a senior at New Century Technology High School, has written a personal essay about the AUM Foundation’s help to gain workplace experience at Madison Hospital.

Mary Lynne Wright, President of Madison Hospital, said Lasonya applied to and was accepted to Huntsville Hospital’s surgical scrub tech program, which she is pursuing at Madison Hospital.

The AUM Foundation’s outreach helps under-resourced, female high-school seniors, Founder and Executive Director Alka Bhargav said. The foundation’s programs allow students to earn experience, gain insight into their career path and build skills to break generational poverty.

In her essay, Lasonya compares her struggles with her dog, Toby. Lasonya’s mother, sister and she rescued the tiny chihuahua mix and first named him Tubby for his chubbiness. “We changed it to ‘Toby’ once his baby fat wore away,” Lasonya said.

“Like my dog, I’ve had to face some really big challenges, but, despite my odds, I still have a strong passion for my community,” Lasonya said. She has volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Walk and Special Olympics and fundraised for Boys & Girls Club; she also tutors.

“I do these things because I want to help people. Interacting with volunteers and participants has taught me compassion and reshaped my perception of altruism,” Lasonya said.

“My life has taught me the need for compassion,” Lasonya said. She was raised by a single parent who worked day and night. The family never stayed in one place for long – once for three years until having to move because they couldn’t pay rent. “I was 12 years old.”

“Three years and two houses later as I was starting high school, I noticed my mother staying home and sleeping more. Our lights were turned off as we started to struggle to pay bills. There was less food in the fridge, and my Mom had her car repossessed,” Lasonya said.

When her mother walked from her room and fell to the floor, Lasonya realized the situation was drastic. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, her Mom couldn’t work again.

“Summer came, and we were evicted from our home. In just a few seconds, we became homeless. We had to give up everything — even our dog, Toby. He wasn’t the smartest dog, but I loved him. I haven’t forgotten Toby. I haven’t forgotten Toby’s courage,” Lasonya said.

Currently, Lasonya’s family lives in an emergency placement home. “As every day passes, my Mom continues to work hard, because nothing stops her from doing everything she can for us,” Lasonya said.

“Like Toby, my Mom has a dogged spirit. She’s passed it on to me,” Lasonya said.

Lasonya continues to work hard — not only for herself but to make her mother proud. After joining JROTC, Lasonya has worked up to Battalion Commander. She joined HOSA (future health professionals) and was elected Alabama’s 1st Vice President/Secretary, giving the opportunity to speak to Alabama students.

“I chose to tell my story, hoping it would encourage students who were facing difficult situations,” Lasonya said. “I wanted to show them how important it is to stand tall.”

“What you go through in life does not define you . . . you define yourself. After high school, I’ll be the first in my family to not only go to college but finish,” Lasonya said.

Frank Williams with Landers McLarty Chevrolet donated a car to AUM Foundation to award to a deserving student. AUM awarded the car to Lasonya.

“I do come from a low-income family, but I will stop the generational poverty by continuing my commitment to not only my family but to myself,” she said.

“I want my family legacy to be one of overcoming all obstacles. Through hard times, I stood up with encouragement of those around me. Dr. Courtney Murray, my mentor, is one of those people; although she has just entered my life, she continues to encourage me and makes sure that I’m doing OK,” Lasonya said. Dr. Courtney Murray served as Lasonya’s mentor, as allotted by AUM Foundation.

“Courtney is an incredible person, without a doubt someone I look up to. One day, I hope to tell my story and be that person in someone’s else life. I want to be someone who encourages them to stand tall and keep going because, in the end, giving up is not an option,” Lasonya said.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *