Rockville Scholar: Ndatta Fall

Name: Ndatta Fall

Age: 18

School: Richard Montgomery High School, Class of 2011

Accomplishment: Awarded a $1,000 college grant by the Rockville Scholarship Foundation, Inc. for her academic achievements.

Key to success: "I’m in special circumstances and think that I’m a victim, so just knowing that I can make it,” said Fall, who arrived from Senegal in 2005 without knowing any English. “And I just know that my parents had me come here for a reason and they have high hopes for me and I don’t want to disappoint them.”

Fall will attend Montgomery College in the fall, where she will pursue a career in medicine through the college's Biomedical Scholars Program. After graduating, she intends to become a family physician and eventually open her own medical practice.

"My mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia for a long time and when I was young, my mom would say, 'Oh I can’t wait for you to become a doctor and help me,'" Fall said. “I think it’s nice because you’re helping people and you can have regular hours and it’s not that complicated, either.” 

Fall graduated from the International Baccalaureate program this month and took part in a number of activities at Richard Montgomery. She founded Nexus, an African-American cultural club, as well as the International Initiatives Club, and served as president of both organizations. She also was a member of the National French Honor Society and the Richard Montgomery Robotics team, which has won a number of awards and competitions. She also has studied hip-hop dance at the Joy of Motion Dance Center.

Advice to others seeking a Rockville Scholarship Foundation, Inc. award: “I would say just be honest and [say] why you want the scholarship and why you think you deserve it,” Fall said.