When Brieyonna became a Starfish Initiative Scholar in June 2009, to say that she was shy would be an understatement. Brieyonna would keep to herself and share very little with anyone except those few she fully trusted.

Her mentor Laura Davidson, who will have been with Brieyonna for the full four years of high school when she graduates later this year from Lawrence Central, set out to help her Scholar become more socially adept and self confident. Laura, who spent seven years as a Girl Scout leader, joined Starfish so she could encourage youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds “realize they have the power to make a better life for themselves.” She now had the perfect opportunity to do so. READ MORE