B U F F A L O N E W S http://www.buffalonews.com
Alexandra Davis, a 2008 graduate of Grand Island High School, won a National School Choral Award, which recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of top high school choral students.
The 18-year-old participated in high school orchestra, musical theater, drama and community service. She sang with the Niagara Experience Players and appeared in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” a production of In Good Company. She also sang in the Grand Island Community Chorus and was a catechist at St. John de LaSalle Catholic Church.
“Music was, and still is, my passion,” said Alexandra, who now attends Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland.
“As a full-time nursing student, it can be difficult to fit in music, but I’m doing my best. Even small things can give me my music fix. In every dorm, there’s a practice room for musicians, performers to play, sing and act,” she explained.
“The [music] clubs understand that as a college student — especially in the nursing program — there might not be a lot of time for me to practice.”
While music is her passion, nursing is her calling, Alexandra said. She was impressed with the level of nursing care her mother received at Roswell Park Cancer Institute while being treated for breast cancer.
“One nurse practitioner in particular befriended my mom,” she said. “Not only did she help my mother through the surgery, she sent me books, articles and various other things to help me with everything, from diet to support for children of breast cancer patients.
“She helped me through what was undoubtedly the roughest, saddest and scariest period of my life. It was then that I decided to be a nurse.”
Alexandra attends Case Western with a scholarship. She also has a grant from the Association of Operating Room Nurses.