Schools
Whiz Kid: Shannon Jeffries
President of Senior Class Council serves as a role model for young girls
Cleveland Heights Whiz Kid of the Week: Shannon Jeffries
- Senior at
- Senior Class Council President
- Volunteers as a mentor with the Aspire Program
Shannon Jeffries loved being in the Aspire Program so much that she returned as a mentor.
Offered at the Hathaway Brown school in Shaker Heights for high-achieving middle school girls from low-income families during the summer, the program provides extra lessons in math and science to help students get ahead for the next year, as well as fun activities like dance and talent shows.
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Shannon spent three years there as a student and came back last summer to help out, hoping to inspire young girls just as she was inspired.
“I just like working with them all,” the 17-year-old said. “Everyone’s talkative and they have big smiles. It’s really great.”
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She said the program taught her to be inquisitive. As a mentor, she said she loved when the girls asked questions because it meant they were learning. Shannon continued her work with young people by volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland in November.
Shannon uses the leadership qualities she learned at Aspire in her role as president of Class Council, a position she said she ran for to keep people informed.
“It’s always important to know what’s going on in your class,” she said.
Shannon will attend The Ohio State University in the fall and major in psychology.
Do you know a Whiz Kid? Send your nominations to Cleveland Heights Patch editor Michelle Simakis.