Overcoming is shared experience of Simon Scholars
by Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
The loss of a mother. Domestic violence. Struggling to adjust in a new country. Feelings of abandonment. Family financial struggles. The death of a father. Disabling illnesses. Uncertainty about the future.
These are just a few of the topics that 20 DeKalb teens spoke about Sept. 15 when they stepped to a podium at the Emory Conference Center and addressed their personal challenges. They each said they wondered if college was in their future and how they would be able to pay for it. And they said that answer came when they received letters indicating that they had been chosen for Simon Family Foundation Scholars program.
Each of the students selected as a class of 2011 Simon Scholar will head off to school with a $16,000 college scholarship following a year of tutoring, SAT prep and leadership training. Students also received laptop computers and a $500 award.
Chamblee High School senior Donisha Thaxton, a class of 2010 Simon Scholar, echoed organizers’ comments that it isn’t all about the money.
“Being a Simon Scholar is so much more than a monetary prize,” said Thaxton, who shared that before becoming involved in the program she was “just going through the motion” and internally was “an amalgamation of anger, fear and pain.”
The banquet that took place was partly a debut of the new scholars and recognition of those in the class of 2010, who will be graduating next spring.
This is the sixth year for the program run by the Simon Family Foundation, which operates scholar programs in DeKalb County, California and New Mexico. Some 300 students have been selected to date. Criteria to become a Simon Scholar includes being disadvantaged economically or due to life circumstances, having potential to succeed and being committed to overcoming adversity.
By the time DeKalb School Superintendent Crawford Lewis addressed the students, parents and educators toward the end of the program, he said, “There’s nothing that I can say to top what I have heard this evening. You make us proud in ways we cannot describe.”
Businessman Ronald M. Simon, founder of the foundation, described the new scholars as “absolutely standout.”
“You don’t need inspiration,” said Simon. “You are the inspiration.”
Two students recognized as Scholars of the Year from the class of 2010 were Deja Moss, who attends North Druid Hills High School, and David Baranco Jr. of Cedar Grove High School. Each honoree received a plaque and a $150 check.
The class of 2011 Simon Scholars are: Xenia Aims, Boyan Apostolov, Khadeja Chowdhury, Paisley Maxwell and Rakaylveia Rush, all at Chamblee High School; Brianna Brooks, Zachary Fitch, Imani Handy, Karimah Shabazz and Ryan Starks, all of Southwest DeKalb High School; Werhawet Gebremeskel, Amber Green, Thanh-Van Huynh, Holly Marecheau and Maurice Price, all of Druid Hills High School; Vincent Shinholster, Kevin Smith, Tavaris Tiller, Re’Kieya Ward and Seantel Williams, all of Redan High School. |
