I’ll return to Oakland to work with Teach for America.
“A big part of believing in myself is because so many others believed in me.”
I grew up in the flatlands of Oakland, raised by a single mother. At 16, my brother and I found our father’s body in his home: he’d been murdered. This was life changing. Witnessing the devaluing of my father’s existence had a profound impact on me.
I saw education as the way to be the change desperately needed in my community. For the remainder of my high school career I worked hard academically to ensure I could go to college. The Great Expectations scholarship money made attending UCLA possible.
Best of all, the EBCF provides a community of support and a mentor who has kept me on track for graduation. I have countless networking opportunities, and the support of the EBCF staff and board members. Knowing others are rooting for my success gives me the confidence to succeed in college.
Now, I’m a senior with a 3.5 GPA. After graduation, I’ll return to Oakland to work with Teach for America.
I’ll do my part to make change.
Shavonnee Clark, 21
2009 Scholar; Graduating Spring 2013 – UCLA
