Tonight we got to watch Dewonna walk across the stage at her high school graduation…and in platform heels no less. As anyone who knows her could tell you, sass has always come naturally to Dewonna! 🙂 She carries herself with a certain confidence that perhaps stems from a lifetime of braving adversities. She says she has overcome many challenges by “praying and never giving up.”

Dewonna and her family have been a part of LOV for several years now. Her mother, Lai-Evetta, earned her GED with us at LOV not quite two years ago. Her little brother Dewayne (known as D-Man) has been a regular at the after school program and Summer Bible Camp for probably as long as he can remember. And, apart from being a camper, Dewonna was a TeenLeader at Camp Faith in its inaugural summer and got to take part in starting a new LOV Summer Bible Camp in Chickasaw: a pretty unique accomplishment for a teenager.

Some of her favorite high school memories were made in her family and consumer science class where she learned to sew and cook. She says she used to be able to get out of classes to help her teacher prepare and serve food. She must have earned a lot of brownie points with her teacher! *pun intended*

Dewonna with Vigor alumnus and Alabama football player, Jalston Fowler, during his visit to Vigor last semester. They now share the same alma mater.

Dewonna plans to attend Bishop State in the Fall and begin working on a college degree immediately. We are proud for Dewonna and all that she has accomplished, and we look forward to seeing her succeed in the future.

If you feel led to partner with LOV as we encourage and financially assist our seniors with their graduation activities or to sponsor a TeenLeader for the summer, please do so here: http://www.lightofthevillage.org/#/you-can-help/give.