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Teen of the Week: Parkersburg Catholic junior Sophia D’Eramo looks forward to career in medical field

By Brett Dunlap 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Whether acting on stage, singing, athletics or studying the sciences that make the world go round, Sophia D'Eramo is always looking for new experiences.

The 16-year-old junior at Parkersburg Catholic High School, the daughter of Taralyn and Dr. Gregory D'Eramo, is involved with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, Catholic's Varsity Tennis Team for three years, Catholic's Varsity Cheer Team and more.

She has an interest in the sciences and is looking to attend medical school one day.

D'Eramo has been involved with productions at the Actors Guild since fourth grade when she was in the production of "Alice in Wonderland Jr." just to see if it was something she would like.

"Ever since then I have been taking in more plays," she said.

She has been in productions of "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Christmas Story," "Aladdin Jr." and most recently "Little Women" for the Guild as well as other productions with Marietta College (Shakespeare By the River - MacBeth) and her school's drama productions with this year's being "The Masked Musketeer," a spin on Three Musketeers which takes place in Spain during the 1800s involving a woman protecting her town.

"I enjoy being able to put on a character and be someone new," D'Eramo said. "Honestly, it is really fun to just go on stage and be somebody that I am not and get to let everything out there and transform into someone new for a little bit."

She has sung the National Anthem for school football and basketball games, most recently at the West Virginia Girls High School State Basketball Tournament for one of the AAAA semi-final games.

She has been apart of the Smoot Theater's Girls Chorus since seventh grade.

"Singing is just so freeing," D'Eramo said. "You create and replicate music.

"I have always loved music. It just fills so many emotions. In singing, I have been able to harness that. I think it is really beautiful and I love all the emotion and vulnerabilities that comes with that."

She has also been involved in playing tennis since fifth grade, having wanted to find a sport to be involved in. She tried a few things and gravitated towards tennis. She has been involved in her schools' tennis teams.

"I really like it," she said. "It just clicked."

D'Eramo plans to attend college after high school and is looking to double major in molecular biology and theater. After that she is planning to go to medical school or possibly doing something entertainment related. However, she is seriously looking at becoming a surgeon.

"I am really interested in science and I think going into medicine is a good way to pursue that while helping other people,'' she said. "It is a good way to combine my interests with making an impact in our world.

"Science is my favorite subject. There is so much to learn about our world and I find it really interesting."

Her love of science and her father have inspired her to want to go into the medical field. D'Eramo is still looking at her options in what kind of medicine she would like to pursue. She has an interest in genetics or she is considering going into orthopedic surgery.

"I still haven't completely figured that out yet," she said.

She received the Golden Horseshoe in eighth grade and is involved in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

In addition to her high school classes, she is currently taking college courses at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, including an Introduction to Ethics class, Small Group Communications, English and College Algebra.

"I wanted to be prepared when I went off to college after high school," D'Eramo said. "I felt that taking some credits during high school would let me get accustomed to courses and the difficulty I may be facing as well as give me some credits I will be able to transfer."

She is looking at applying to Brown University, Duke University and Yale.

D'Eramo wants to be involved in her community.

She is part of the Student Council, serving as secretary in 10th and 11th Grade. She is also the secretary for her school's chapter of the National Honor Society and involved in the Interact Club, a service club.

"I like being engaged in my community and what is going on," she said. "I like helping to make a difference and being involved.

"By taking on these leadership positions was a good way for me to be able to participate in my community and make an impact.''

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

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