Danna Drive: Boys Hope Girls Hope

During assembly on Monday, January 9, seniors Annie Altman and Jing Qiu announced that this year's Danna Drive will support Boys Hope Girls Hope. They said the Danna Drive was established 22 years ago to support a local charitable agency through a bake sale, collection of various items needed by the selected organization and a work day at the agency. Then they introduced an alum of Boys Hope Girls Hope who shared her experience.

Brijhette explained that Boys Hope Girls Hope identifies students who show strong academic promise which is threatened by a lack of resources. Those students leave environments which undermine their potential and are provided the support of a family-style residence and ongoing academic mentoring, including placement in strong St. Louis schools and eventual college placement.

The organization was established in 1977 by Father Paul Sheridan in St. Louis where the first home opened in 1978. [There are now homes in 15 locations in the U.S. and four in Latin America.] Brijhette said she entered the program at 11. She knew education was central to her success — that there are so many things that steal [children's] dreams. Through the program, she attended Nerinx and graduated in 2007. She finished undergraduate work in three years and is currently in graduate school, studying sustainable architecture.

Brijhette said she was given the opportunity to get out of a cycle of poverty and is committed to giving back —to be "a person for others." She thanked the Burroughs community for doing that as well.