MEET DeMauriae!

 

DeMauriae is a 17-year-old sophomore at Galileo Academy of Science and Technology. He was nominated by his English teacher, Kristy Morrison, who worked with long-time Summer Search partner Cathy Kornblith to refer him to the program. His Summer Search mentor is Lissa Healy.

What is the most exciting part of Summer Search for you?
The mentoring is the most exciting part of Summer Search because I’ve never had anyone who I could really express myself to on a weekly basis. Usually I just bottle it all up inside of me and it becomes a big burden on my shoulders. In the beginning it was hard talking to a complete stranger, but now I’m able to just be DeMauriae and loosen up a little bit and have a regular conversation about things that are going on my life. Our relationship is starting to build a lot, because I’m starting to talk about things I normally wouldn’t say. When I’m done talking with her each week, I feel good.

Why do you think you were nominated for Summer Search?
I think my teacher sees how in class, I can say what I believe in and how I feel about things, but I’m also a good listener, and I know I don’t know everything.

Why did you apply for Summer Search?
When I first heard about Summer Search, I just thought it was a typical program with activities for the summer. But then I heard about the trips, and I was surprised and excited. To me, it sounded like a good opportunity to get out of my neighborhood, and then since I want to go to college, it sounded good to have a mentor who could be a resource for me and help get me ready for the future. If I don’t go pro in basketball, I’ve got another plan. I’d like to go into law enforcement. Coming from the community I come from, I want to be able to go to college and then come back and help change the community around, and just be a positive role model.

Kristy Morrison is DeMauriae’s English teacher, and nominated him for Summer Search because “He’s just a natural leader, and he possesses a very innate intelligence, but he needs something to inspire him. To me, he was the perfect Summer Search candidate because he wants to do a lot with his life, with very limited resources.” According to Kristy, DeMauriae is so excited about his trip that: “He can’t put the brochures down! Going somewhere else in the world and being needed as part of a team – I think he will be totally changed by it.”

DeMauriae’s mentor, Lissa, finds it exciting to talk to him each week: “His strengths are in his altruism and empathy. He is also very reflective and thoughtful – not necessarily having all the answers but being willing to reflect. I’ve seen little shifts already – he’s become more active in taking ownership of things and getting them done, and asking for help when he needs it. I’m hoping he’ll feel more confident and like there are more options for him when he comes back from Outward Bound in Minnesota this summer.”