Graduated
Senior DeShaunya Ware decreased the chronic conflicts at
Construction Careers Center Charter High School by popularizing a
violence peer-mediation group.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>She leaves that behind with her sights on a biochemistry degree and a chance to come back and teach in the St. Louis Public Schools through Teach for America – just like her mentors.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ware was one of eight students who received a 2011 AXA Achievements Community Scholarship of $2,000 from the AXA Foundation. Ware and Courtnie Henson of Marquette High School were the two African-American recipients.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>The AXA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AXA Equitable, which sells life insurance, annuities and related financial services. Its assets under management totaled $559.9 billion as of December 31, 2010.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>At the scholarship reception on June 8, Stanley Williams, AXA’s vice president of retirements benefit group – and an inaugural 2011 St. Louis American Young Leader – presented the awards to the students.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“They do what they do out of their own kindness,” he said. “They don’t get a chance to talk about what they do. It gave them the opportunity to shine.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ware was the first African-American student from the city of St. Louis to receive this scholarship, which focuses on the students’ community service and less on their academic performance or financial need.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“It was amazing to see so many young adults trying and striving to make the world a better place,” Ware said. “Not only are they enabling themselves to be successful but also giving back to the community. These were amazing young people. It was an inspiration to me.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Henson created an arts and athletics program for 100 disadvantaged youth from the streets and into a fun and safe environment on Saturday mornings.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The ceremony was perfect,” Henson said. “Simple, yet honorable. It was relaxed enough to calm our nerves when it came to speaking in front of everyone, but it was nice to be recognized for our achievements at the same time.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ware said conflict and instability compromised her learning environment. Being a confrontational person, she said, she used to be part of the problem.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I figured I started this,” Ware said, “and if I started this I need to find a way to fix the situation. I have always been an intelligent woman, but I had a bad mouth problem. Even when I had this bad mouth, the teachers and administrators always supported me. I had to figure out a way to show them my appreciation, and this was my way of doing that.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ware has a long list of extracurricular and volunteer activities, including serving on the principal’s advisory council and working with children at the Kingdom House.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Her mother is her best friend and strongest mentor, Ware said. But at school, her Teach For America teachers, Kelsey Henneboehle and Kathleen Remington, helped to shape her future goals.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I appreciate that so much,” Ware said. “They showed me that it doesn’t matter where you came from, it’s where you are going. Because of them and my mom, I have to show the world my intelligent skills.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>When beginning her scholarship search, Ware went to Remington with a big stack of papers in a manila folder. Every Sunday they would meet to go through the applications.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“For them to give me this scholarship, it’s getting me one step closer to achieving my dreams,” Ware said. “Hopefully, I will be able to give back to another student like they did for me.”
