- 23 year-old DC-native Rashema Melson’s father was murdered when she was a baby and she lived in homeless shelters with her mother and brothers.
- Despite struggles, she graduated valedictorian from Anacostia High School and received a full-scholarship to Georgetown.
- An introvert, Rashema struggled to fit in with Georgetown’s mostly-affluent students.
- She dropped out to marry her high school boyfriend then, regretting her decision, returned 1 year later.
- Rashema graduated with a degree in justice and hopes to work in public policy for the poor.
