Saturday, January 09, 1999
Good news: A life restored and class acts
BY KRISTA RAMSEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Christina Stevens' life is coming full circle.
Four years ago, I wrote about her as the three-time high school dropout who bravely returned to school, graduating as valedictorian of her class at Peter H. Clark Academy, a Cincinnati public school.
Last November, I wrote about her graduation from Berea College in Kentucky. She earned a bachelor's degree in children and family studies, and hoped to help children who faced the same difficulties she had.
Today, Christina Stevens is applying to Xavier University for a master's degree program in counseling.
She has also applied to Cincinnati Public Schools, to work as an instructor's assistant while she completes her degree.
She is proof that a life can be restored, and that a community's investment in its children will be returned in abundance.
Wise investment
The soft-spoken girl who once felt every door was closed to her has had them thrown open wide at Xavier. Former Cincinnati schools Superintendent J. Michael Brandt, now on the Xavier staff, saw the article, met with Christina and encouraged her to pursue a degree at Xavier.
If she takes the job with Cincinnati schools — which looks likely — Christina can apply for special financial assistance, which could include a full scholarship.
Christina Stevens coming back to work with Cincinnati schoolchildren is a godsend. She can work with those who struggle the hardest, because she has traveled their path. Each day she will walk into a classroom as a living, breathing example of how doubts can be pushed aside, obstacles surmounted and failures turned into successes.
Xavier University and Mike Brandt are making a wise investment. It is a classy, kind act that will pay dividends to children across this city.
Meanwhile, Greater Cincinnati schoolchildren have been busy reminding me how much they are already contributing to the world around them.
Our class is trying to help the people on the streets who don't have houses. We need to help them just like they would help us.
Your truly friend,
Kiayetta Johnson
Helping the homeless
Kiayetta and her classmates in Veda Powell's second-grade class at Cameron Park Elementary School in Forest Park took up a donation for Project Connect, a program to help homeless children in Greater Cincinnati. In a December column, I asked readers to consider donating even $5 to this marvelous program.
All told, Tristate schools, businesses and individuals gave more than $6,000 to Project Connect.
Cincinnati postal employees gave 200 book bags filled with school supplies and gifts — such a load that it took two Santas and two “sleighs” to make this delivery. Fifth Third Bank employees gave cameras and film for photos with Santa. Cincinnati Ballet, General Electric and Comair employees treated the children and their families to a night at The Nutcracker and dinner. The staff at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court gave a generous office donation, as did hundreds of individual contributors.
I personally plan to stop by and say thanks to Mrs. Powell's class, and to Amy Tepe's fourth-graders at Fairfax Elementary, Mary Ireton's and Linda Crawford's second-graders at Sacred Heart School in Fairfield, Penny Boyer's third-graders at South School in Fairfield, and the students at St. Louis School in Owensville and St. Bernard School in Taylor Creek.
As a final bit of good news, Cincinnatians will have another chance to see the wonderful work of local artist Brian Joiner. Last February, I wrote about his exhibit of portraits of African-American women. His new exhibit, “Strong Spirits: Black Women II,” runs Jan. 17 to Feb. 20 at Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton, with another exhibit Feb. 22 to March 5 at Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Walnut Hills.
Treat yourself.
Krista Ramsey's column appears in the Enquirer on Saturdays. Write her at 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202.
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