Bright Minds is incredibly proud to have played a small part in helping Wilde Lake High School 2022 graduate Davina Bonsu achieve her college goals. During her junior and senior years, Davina took full advantage of the JumpStart dual enrollment program, and Bright Minds scholarships helped cover the cost of her books and course fees for courses taken on the Howard Community College (HCC) campus. During her senior year, Davina was also a recipient of the Laura E. Wallen Memorial Scholarship, given to students who demonstrate the ability to overcome obstacles and a commitment to working towards a more just society.
Learn about Davina’s college and JumpStart experiences – including important advice for current HCPSS students – in her own words below.
What college or university do you attend?
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
What is your current or planned major?
Information Systems
What three words describe the road that led you to your college?
Blessing, stressful, glorious
Did you receive any special recognitions, awards, scholarships, grants, or honors at graduation?
Bright Minds Laura E. Wallen Scholarship, Delegate Terri Hill Scholarship, Guaranteed Access Grant, Certificate of Achievement, Delegate Feldmark Scholarship, Recognized as HCPSS student who earned an associate degree while in high school, UMBC premier scholarship, HCPSS JumpStart Dual Enrollment Recognition Award
What hobbies, clubs or activities have you joined while in college?
I’ve joined the African Student Associations club, National Society of Black Engineers club, PENSA Bible studies, Caring Christian Community, Triumph Bible Studies
What is your favorite part of attending college?
My favorite part of attending college is getting to know more people. Doing assignments is great, but getting to meet and interact with new people who like the things you do is awesome.
What are your post-college goals/dreams?
My dream is to be in the IT field. At the moment, I’m not sure where in IT I’ll be, but I know I’ll end up in that field soon. My dream is also to have a charity and a foundation that helps those in need. My dream is to have my own bible studies on every campus located in the state of Maryland.
How did the JumpStart Books & Course Fees Scholarship help you?
SHOUTOUT TO Y’ALL FOR REAL! I’m so grateful to the JumpStart Books & Course Fees Scholarship because they helped cover my class fees, book fees, and other fees as well. I barely spent $500 dollars at HCC. Most of my fees were covered by HCPSS through the Free & Reduced Meals program, as well as the Bright Minds scholarship too! I’m forever grateful!
When you reflect on your time in the JumpStart Dual Enrollment Program, what experiences or memories come to mind?
A memory that comes to mind is my friend and I spending hours on the phone together planning the classes we would take each semester. We planned how many classes we would take, what classes we would take, and even searched thoroughly to find the best teachers for each course. We spent over two hours on the phone, worrying, laughing, and also being productive at the same time.
How did JumpStart prepare you for your current college courses?
JumpStart has truly prepared me for my current college courses. Going into UMBC, I knew what was expected of me as a student. I knew that I was expected to get my assignments done, attend class on time, reach out to professors myself, and just be independent and responsible.
What advice do you have for future JumpStart students?
Future JumpStart students, be open-minded as you’ve embarked on this journey. Ask loads of questions! Oh trust me, the staff at HCC will remember me for my questions. I was constantly bombarding their emails with questions. Not because I wanted to be annoying, but because I wanted to make sure that everything was in place for me.
Another piece of advice I would give is that when you’re starting off the semester, start with just 1 or 2 classes first! See if you’re able to handle the workload just from 1 or 2 classes. By the end of the semester if you see that you’re successful in those classes, then next semester take 3 or 4 classes. When I started off as a JumpStart student, I took 3 classes. I realized I was successful in those 3 classes, so the next semester I took 4. The point is this, start from somewhere and then build. Don’t rush and take 7 classes. Also, make sure there is a balance in the classes you’re taking. Don’t take 5 chemistry classes all at the same time! You might not survive it. Add some classes that wouldn’t make your entire semester excessively stressful!
Another piece of advice I would give is to read the syllabus for every class! After reading the syllabus, if you feel like you can’t really handle class and abide by the requirements of the class, DROP ASAP! Drop before the dropping deadline! And get a different class to replace it. Lastly, check your grades every day! If you get a bad grade on anything, it’s okay. Just eat ice cream after and do better next time on the next assignment, quiz, or exam!
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Contributions to the JumpStart scholarship program or the Laura Wallen Memorial Scholarship may be made to Bright Minds via our website: DONATE, or by check to the Bright Minds Foundation, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Please designate JumpStart or Laura Wallen in the comment field or on the memo line.
About Bright Minds Foundation
Bright Minds Foundation is the Howard County public schools education foundation. We work to ensure each child in Howard County has access to the education, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed at school and in life. We do this by bringing together community support for programs and initiatives that increase education access, equity, and innovation. Bright Minds programs respond to the urgent and ongoing needs of children in four areas: digital inclusion, literacy & kindergarten readiness, college access, and teacher support & classroom innovation. To learn more and contribute, please visit brightmindsfoundation.org/donate.
