Sumer never wanted to be 'just like everyone else’, she had the courage to embrace change, test her abilities, and explore new things. During high school she excelled academically in honor level classes, participated in JV volleyball and Varsity soccer, surfing, and track and field. Prior to the beginning of her senior year she decided to redirect her efforts – she petitioned, developed the by-laws, and initiated the start of an art appreciation program and a chess club on campus. She became a math tutor, and increased her level of volunteerism with campus ministry and at her church.
Sumer started Georgetown University during the fall of 2003. Although as a freshman she was a little overwhelmed with new campus life and a vigorous class schedule, this did not deter her from sharing her indomitable spirit. She spent any free time immersed in the arts and humanitarian interests through painting, photography, and volunteering. She was actively involved in tutoring adults through Catholic Charities and Prison Outreach, and she gave guitar lessons at the YMCA. However, her passion was the children’s theatre program at Georgetown, where she designed sets and starred in productions given to inner city children.
During the summer of 2005 she decided to volunteer her time in India tutoring impoverished children. She lived with a host family in the small village of Samode, where she described the conditions as very rustic and the people as beautiful and kind. Tragically during the early morning hours of July 31, 2005, while attending a birthday party at one of the finest hotels in Jaipur, India, Sumer was electrocuted after falling into an air-conditioning unit. She was only 20-years old, but she managed to accomplish many things in a mere twenty years that others would not be able to complete in a lifetime. She was a role model for others and a truly remarkable young woman.
We hope to continue her legacy through scholarships to individuals that perpetuate her dedication to the arts, social justice, and humanitarian efforts especially those focusing on children.
The Sumer Nicole Alvarez Foundation is being established to carry on Sumer’s legacy:
Sumer dreamed of making a difference in the world. Her time on earth was brief, but she had a powerful impact on all who knew her. Her family and friends feel blessed to have shared in her life and know that her dream of making a difference in the world came to pass and will continue through the work of the Sumer Nicole Alvarez Foundation.
The Sumer Nicole Alvarez Foundation Mission Statement:
To improve the quality of life and facilitate lasting change for women and children around the world through developing and nurturing their unique individual strengths and abilities.
The Sumer Nicole Alvarez Foundation Vision Statement:
To perpetuate Sumer’s thirst for knowledge, curiosity, compassion, dedication to social justice, education, and humanitarian efforts especially as it relates to women and children globally.
The Sumer Nicole Alvarez Foundation Culture:
‘Live Like Sumer’
Embrace your strengths, dare to be unique, seek knowledge, be creative, show compassion, see beauty in yourself, your surroundings, and others, trust in yourself, give back, act do not wait, find fun in what you do, be open to new ideas and experiences, acknowledge your intelligence, indulge your curiosity, seek adventure, be brave.
What it means to Live Like Sumer™:
Be Unique
Show Compassion
Seek Knowledge
Embrace Your Creativity
Act Don’t Wait
See Beauty in Your Surroundings and Others
Be True to Yourself
Give Back
Have Fun
Seek Adventure
Be Open to New Ideas and Experiences
Show Your Intelligence
Indulge Your Curiosity
Be Brave
For additional information, please visit the following web sites:
Sumer Alvarez in The Tidings
Sumer in Taborri Press
Rising Junior Dies in Overseas Accident
Labels: history, Sumer Alvarez Foundation
