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At just 17 years old, Allison Pratt is already charting a bold course in science, service, and scholarship. A graduate of SandHoke Early College High School — Summa Cum Laude, with an associate in arts degree — Allison will enter North Carolina State University (NCSU) in fall 2025 as a junior, majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.
Raised in Raeford, Pratt’s passion for science was sparked early. She remembers watching Sid the Science Kid and exploring science museums during the brief time of her childhood living in New York, which planted the seeds. However, after attending the Summer Ventures in Science and Math program hosted by the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, where she also completed the NCSSM online program and served as a student ambassador, Pratt’s path truly came into focus.
There, she worked on a group project that explored gene therapy as a potential treatment for Type 2 diabetes, focusing on its genetic components — an aspect often overlooked.
“People don’t look at the genetic aspects that can lead a person to Type 2 diabetes,” Pratt said. “It’s an opportunity that not many people can explore, and I was grateful that I was able to explore it.”
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Pratt received multiple college acceptances, including highly competitive institutions in New York, but NCSU stood out not only for its strong research environment and proximity to the Research Triangle but also for offering a degree program that allowed her to narrow her focus to her true interests.
Outside of the classroom, Pratt is just as committed. She’s a proud member of the National Honor Society. She has dedicated significant time to community service, especially at Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Wagram, where her journey began. From serving in the fellowship hall to helping with the food pantry, volunteering became more than an activity — it became a calling.
“Even the smallest effort can make a big impact,” she said. “Use all the volunteer opportunities to your advantage and try to help out as best as you can.”
Her teachers describe her not only as gifted but as an inspiration.
“Allison is a breath of fresh air. Her passion for learning shines bright in and out of the classroom. Her smile is infectious, and I always look forward to our conversations. She is a fighter — no matter how difficult the situation, she never gave up. Allison is a one-in-a-million student,” said Steffani Smith, Pratt’s health and physical education instructor.
Pratt’s always been driven and interested in science. Cherri Pegues, her 5th-grade teacher, remembered an essay Pratt wrote.
“She once wrote in her ‘When I Grow Up’ essay that she wanted to be an astronomer. That may have shifted, but one thing hasn’t — her brilliance. I have no doubt she will continue to shine brighter in the years to come,” Pegues said.
She dreams of a future where STEM opportunities are equally accessible, especially in rural communities like her own.
“One scientific challenge I want to help solve isn’t in the lab — it’s the lack of opportunity for kids who grow up in small towns. I want to build platforms or programs that help bring science to them,” Pratt said.
So, how does a 17-year-old college junior stay grounded amid academics, research ambitions, and service?
“My mom keeps me on track,” Pratt said. “And I’ve surrounded myself with people — family, friends — who understand and support my goals.”
Despite her clear focus, Pratt is far from one-dimensional. She’s also a fan of history, literature, museums, and baking. She believes in staying well-rounded.
“I’m not just about science. I like learning everything I can,” Pratt said.
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