News

Dawkins urges Cheyney University Grads to consider City Year

March 7, 2011

My name is Shavone Dawkins. I am a twenty –four year old native of Easton, Pennsylvania. I am a 2004 graduate of Easton Area High School where I participated in winter/spring track & field as a thrower. I was a member of the colorguard in the Red Rover Marching Band for four years serving as team captain my senior year. I also participated in pie club, the multicultural club and the local chapter of Junior NAACP.

In 2004 I was accepted to Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. I was the first in my immediate family to attend a four year university. I initially did not understand the dynamics of what being a college student was. I did not embrace this opportunity or put forth my full potential. This resulted in me returning home to Easton at the end of my spring semester. My parents and family were very upset with my poor choices in Virginia and insisted that I find a job immediately. I took some time away from school and realized that education was necessary if I wanted to live a successful and prosperous life. I soon began to take night classes at Northampton Community College. Ultimately, I realized in order to further my education I would have to attend another four year university. In May 2010, I received my Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Upon graduation I realized that I was not mentally or financially prepared to attend graduate school. I came across an opportunity that I had thought of many times in my life. I received an email from an organization that would change my life and others. I chose to give a year of service with City Year Greater Philadelphia. City year is a non-profit AmeriCorps organization that selects 17-24 year olds who come from diverse backgrounds to commit to ten months of full-time community service. City year corps members serve in schools working with students in one-on-one tutoring sessions, providing in-class academic support, and creating after-school programs to further engage the students. Corps members also plan events within their communities to promote positive school climate and increase student attendance. City Year serves in twenty cities across the United States and has two international affiliates in South Africa and London.

I currently serve as a corps member at Universal Institute Charter School located in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I work on a team of eight corps members who provide academics support and mentorship to grades six thru eight. Our team runs three after-school programs. Every day with our students we see how our presence has made an impact amongst the students and entire school. I have bonded with my students and they expect me to be there everyday. Attendance has improved and the students are beginning to understand that education is necessary to become successful and productive citizens throughout life.

My City Year experience thus far has been rewarding, exhausting at times, but overall exciting. This opportunity has given me the chance to engage with diverse individuals, achieve more leadership skills, and gain various tools to further my achievements for the future. I wish every city and state could have a City Year presence amongst their educational institutions. After City Year I hope to continue my education in a graduate program and continue mentoring youth.

If you are interested in joining City Year, please visit our website www.cityyear.org or contact Shavone directly at sdawkins11@cityyear.org .