Dashia Drayton describes herself as reserved and not particularly fond of the spotlight. But when you’re ambitious, charismatic and academically gifted – as Drayton is – the spotlight tends to find you anyway.
Dashia Drayton
A rising sophomore and Bonner Leader at the College of Charleston, Drayton was well suited for the Bonner program, which focuses on service learning and civic engagement. At 19, Drayton has been involved in community service and leadership development activities much of her life.
Drayton grew up in North Charleston, S.C., and attended Chicora Elementary School. As a third-grader in 2003 she was selected for a then-new after school initiative organized by Metanoia, a faith-based community development corporation based in North Charleston. Metanoia is also one of several service sites at which the College’s Bonner Leaders volunteer during the academic year.
RELATED: Learn more about Metanoia.
“Bonner Leaders have served nearly 6,000 hours at Metanoia since our program began in 2008,” says Laura Mewbourn, associate director of the Center for Civic Engagement at the College. “Our partnership is a strong illustration of the impact the College of Charleston can have on the citizens of the Lowcountry.”
Metanoia has long been a guiding force in Drayton’s life. She has served in a variety of student leadership positions with the organization, including an internship this summer with the program’s Freedom School.
Walking through the classrooms and hallways at St. Matthew Baptist Church, where Metanoia’s offices are located, Drayton points to artwork on the walls that she created as a child. Painted high on one classroom wall is a quote Drayton coined: “If you never climb that mountain, you will never know what’s at the top.”
Bonner Leaders
She was in the 8th grade when Bonner Leaders from the College first began volunteering at Metanoia. Drayton remembers being impressed by the fact that these young adults were volunteering their time to mentor children. She thought at the time that both the College and the Bonner program might be options for her down the road.
While many Bonner Leaders have served as tutors and mentors at Metanoia, the partnership has provided a range of volunteer and learning opportunities, says Mewbourn.
For example, one recent graduate served as the liaison to local schools, endeavoring to provide unparalleled academic support for students, parents, and teachers. Another former Bonner Leader served as the assistant director of one of Metanoia’s programs during her senior year and was hired into a permanent position with Metanoia upon graduation.
“In the truest sense of the word, Bonner Leader and Metanoia enjoy a thriving, mutually beneficial relationship, and we hope this connection will continue for years to come,” says Mewbourn.
From Metanoia to Bonner
Emboldened by the leadership skills she gained in Metanoia, Drayton chose a rigorous path for middle school and high school: Military Magnet Academy in North Charleston. While the school’s military orientation was challenging, Drayton found her rhythm at the school. She was a member of the drill team and the marching band, student Council president, JROTC cadet captain and a member of the National Honor Society.
The icing on the cake was when she was named valedictorian of her graduating class in 2013.
When it came time to select a college, Drayton remembered the Bonner Leaders she had looked up to years earlier. She was passionate about mentoring and teaching children at Metanoia and wanted to continue that work in college. “I knew I wanted to do some service-associated group because I was used to doing that with Metanoia.”
Drayton was accepted to the College and soon made it through the competitive selection process for Bonner.
RELATED: Read more about the College’s Bonner Leader program.
Looking back on her first year as a Bonner Leader, Drayton says the program was even tougher than she expected. Bonner Leaders perform 300 hours of community service and leadership development training over the course of each school year in exchange for a stipend to help with college expenses. It’s a major commitment but also very gratifying, she says.
Drayton has been a wonderful addition to the Bonner Leader program, says Mewbourn. “In addition to being a great example of the impact Bonners can have on other students in the community, Dashia is now making her own mark on the community. I know she will continue to serve as a positive role model to many young people.”
Drayton’s service site last year was at the Children’s Museum in Charleston, and the organization had high praise for the more than 300 hours of service she provided. The experience taught Drayton about the administration side of a nonprofit organization, and she says she gained confidence from the many professional interactions she had throughout the experience.
Bonner Leaders at a service project.
Mewbourn says non-profits such as Metanoia and the Children’s Museum have a profound impact on the education of Bonner students, contributing to their professional development and using the skills they already have to the greatest advantage. The relationships with the non-profits are truly reciprocal, Mewbourn says, and the College gets at least as much as it gives in terms of the real-world experience that the Bonner Leaders come away with.
Drayton is looking forward to seeing what service site she’ll be assigned to this year. She also plans to keep pushing herself to be more vocal and comfortable in front of large groups. “I want to keep challenging myself to speak up more,” she says. “When I’m in a room with 29 other people, I tend to go into my shell.”
Drayton sees it as another challenge, another mountain to climb.
