Savion Wright

Dear Mr. Jefferson, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for awarding me the Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship. Receiving this recognition is both humbling and exhilarating, and I truly appreciate your belief in my potential as an aspiring educator. Your support makes a real difference in my journey at Kent State University, where I'm majoring in Elementary Education. Because of your generosity, I'm able to focus on my classes, become more involved on campus, and continue preparing to serve my future students, all without being overwhelmed by financial worries. Growing up and attending schools like Schumacher CLC and John R. Buchtel CLC, I saw firsthand how powerful it is for students to be taught by someone who understands their background and experiences. It’s my dream not only to become a teacher but also to eventually become a principal or even a superintendent, so I can help shape schools that truly reflect and uplift their communities. This scholarship moves me one step closer to reaching that goal, and I feel incredibly proud to be part of such a meaningful mission. Your commitment to increasing representation in education inspires me every day. Knowing that you created this scholarship to ensure students see themselves in their educators motivates me to work harder and to give back in the same spirit eventually. Thank you so much for your unwavering support and vision. I look forward to honoring this opportunity and making a positive impact on my future students. With Gratitude, Savion Wright

Sean Cummings

Dear Mark, I want to sincerely thank you for awarding me the Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship. Receiving this honor fills me with immense gratitude, and I'm truly excited for the opportunities it will bring as I pursue my dream of becoming an educator. Your support eases the financial challenges that come with preparing for college, and it allows me to stay focused on my studies and my continued service to my community. Knowing that someone believes in my potential means so much to me, especially as I work hard to balance academics, leadership, and volunteerism. Being active in organizations like Key Club, Student Council, and Beta Club has deepened my passion for mentorship and helping others. As I look ahead to a career in education, I’m committed to creating classrooms where every student can see themselves reflected and feel empowered to achieve. I’m honored to carry on Mark A. Jefferson’s legacy through this scholarship and to work toward increasing representation in education. Your vision for supporting future teachers who reflect their communities is incredibly inspiring to me. I hope to make a positive difference in the lives of my students, just as your generosity has inspired me. Thank you for believing in me and making a real impact on my journey. Thank you, Sean Cummings

Jayden Braxton

Thank you so much Mr. Jefferson! I recently started my full-time student teaching experience, and recognized that I would have to forego some working hours to be successful in it. Choosing be as a winner has helped me financially, but also strengthened me in my purpose of education!

DaQuan Garrett

My heart is full and I am forever grateful. I thank you for seeing my potential as an aspiring educator and awarding me for my drive and dedication to education. I feel incredibly honored to be selected as a recipient, God Bless you and I am honored and grateful.

Kenneth Boateng

Dear Mr. Jefferson, I can not thank you enough for choosing me to be the recipient for your scholarship. Honestly, this is the best gift I could have received this holiday season. At this point in my nursing program, I've been able to pay for school myself, but it hasn't been easy. The money I make from my paychecks go almost completely towards paying tuition every month. The little I have left is enough to pay for gas for the week. I drive about an 1 hour to school around 3 times a week with hour and a half drives to clinical once a week so that money for gas is just as crucial as my tuition payments. The way next semester was looking, there was a high possibility of me having to take days off from work to go to class which would have made paying for next semester even tougher and potentially impossible. So imagine the way I hooped and hollered upon finding out I had won your scholarship. The scholarship alone makes a humungous difference in my situation and alleviates so much stress I would have had in my final semester. You mention that you wanted to provide young black men the help they needed in order to foster positive communities. I can confidently say that you are not just doing that, but you have certainly inspired me to pass on the kindness and sense of service in my own life. When it comes to black men, we are a minority in the field of nursing no matter what department or unit you look at. I join the field of nursing not just with the aspiration to help those in need, not just to eventually educate the nurses of tomorrow, but to also be a role model like yourself to other young black men. I want to be another example that success is not out of reach for people like us, especially in places where we are not seen often such as nursing. I truly believe God has used you as my destiny helper through this scholarship. What you've done means the world to me and I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart Mr. Jefferson. May the good Lord bless you for all that you are doing in the lives of others. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that the new year will bring nothing but joy, success, fruitfulness, and good health to your life and the lives of your loved ones. Thank you again, Kenneth Boateng