DreaMakers' Dream 3-D Recipient is Guilford Southwest High School Senior Rayshawn.
RAYSHAWN'S STORY
My transition from middle school to high school was not a good one; I started middle school at Guilford Middle and then transferred to a program called High School Ahead then Southwest High where I am now. This is the longest I have ever been at any school. I had been changing schools every year since Pre-K. I was pretty much an angry kid all the time, because of all of the transition and trying to fit in and make new friends.
I initially stayed away from everyone, but found myself focused more on fitting in and making friends instead of focusing on school. I eventually connected with some students, but they were not a good influence. Often we skipped class, hung out, picking fights with others. This crowd was disrespectful to teachers, and even though I didn’t do that, I learned that when you hang out with a certain group you are viewed as one in the same. This resulted in my grades being D’s and F’s.
Starting my tenth grade my mom got us more involved in church. Since I was shy, I decided to join the church’s Drama Ministry. I felt this would be fun and I could be active in church and make my mom happy. I ended up meeting friends and their parents, good people, unlike the crowd before. This helped me change how I looked at things, changed my friends and my desire to be better. I began to think about wanting more out of myself and life.
Over time I learned to make good friends, excel at my job, and participate in extracurricular activities such as: attending a summer culinary program at the Art Institute of Charlotte, joining D.E.C.A. (Distributive Education Clubs of America), continuing to participate at church and changing my grades to A’s and B’s.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Rayshawn, when did you know you wanted to be a Chef?
A: I didn’t know right away, but after my 11th grade year I realized I didn’t want to be a Auto Mechanic. I like working with my hands and since I always cooked I thought why not be a Chef.
Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: English
Q: Have you applied for college?
A: Yes, and I have been accepted to two colleges ( The Art Institute of Durham and Johnson and Wales University)
Q: Which one are you leaning towards?
A: I think the Art Institute of Durham because it’s smaller classrooms, closer to home, and more affordable for my parents.
Q: How did you get involved with DreaMakers?
A: My Ministry Leader at church actually recommended me
Q: What did you do in DreaMakers?
A: DreaMakers, has helped me to broaden my horizons such as participating in local Poetry Meetups, Community projects, “Earth Day at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Library”, and tutored me in reading. DreaMakers taught me how to interview for a job and how to present myself. Lastly DreaMakers has taught me about the “Smitty Formula” this has helped me achieve where I am now.
Q: Did you expect such an elaborate reward like Vegas?
A: No I didn’t think this was real. Nor did I think my Mom and Dad would agree.
Q: What are you going to do while in Vegas?
A: I’m going to visit another Culinary School, I get to interview a Chef and get a tour of a professional kitchen. I think there is more stuff but I guess some of it is a surprise.
Q: How are you feeling right now about all of this?
A: Blessed and I don’t have words to explain how excited I am.
