She remembers being on the children’s choir, the Rosebuds. As a pre-teen and teenager she participates in teen summits, girls’ spiritual preparatory classes and the youth praise dance team, Combustible Praise. She enjoyed fellowshipping with her peers during Youth Department sponsored camping trips, professional basketball game and football games excursions. Danielle acknowledges the benefits of growing up surrounded by her church family. She recognizes several ministers, youth leaders, Bible Study teachers and especially Pastor and Mother Baxter for interceding on her behalf and encouraging her “in their own unique ways.” She will always be grateful for encouraging her to do her best scholastically, to be her own unique person and to work hard. As she looks back, she now realizes that those teen summit discussions challenged her mentally, leading her to think about her life and future, both naturally and spiritually.  Despite all of her hard work and accomplishments, Danielle realizes that she never could have done it own her own and praises God for being surrounded by great prayer warriors, especially Pastor Baxter, for showing their how much they care by praying for her throughout her life and most of all guiding her to develop a prayer life of her own.

Danielle accredits her success in education to attending such schools as Kings Academy, Cathedral of Love Christian Academy and Life Center Academy and teachers like Mrs. Yanchek, who she will always remember for her dedication and encouragement. Although she attended Sylvan Learning Center in her younger years, she believes her study skills and habits have developed over the years through commitment, hard work and disciple. Although there are moments where she misses the social life of hanging with her friends, she has not regrets because she acknowledges the reward of her study regiment. In her own words, “You should never really regret things, just look back on them and do things differently in the future.”

Danielle gives the greatest honor for her success to God because being a Christian gave her the moral values that help her to make the best decisions. She stands firmly on her faith that these values will keep her strong, knowing that God will be with her every step of the way. She said, “That’s why I’m not afraid to go away from home for college. It’ll be a just another stepping stone in my life - a great one.” Danielle’s dream is to attend Princeton University. Her contingency plan includes Xavier University, Roanoke College, Harvard University, Spellman University, Oral Roberts University and a few others. Although she is only 16, she has already starting the preparation for her collegiate career by taking practice SAT exams and visiting colleges will meet her academic needs by providing an excellent science and medical programs.  She realizes that these institutions will assist her best in reaching her career goal of becoming a pediatrician.

When her head in not in the books, she enjoys playing on her school’s softball team. She plays basketball and swims recreationally. She also takes piano lessons. She does not have a favorite song but admits she does love to listen to “hype” music that gets her “up and ready to go with vigor.” When asked to share a few words of wisdom with peers and younger children she may inspire, she replied, “I would just tell them to do your best all the time, don’t be lazy and never put important things to the side.” With wisdom beyond her years she continued, “And never forget that you’re here for a purpose and you have a destiny…try to fulfill it and you will reap the rewards.” Danielle’s favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 and truly Jesus Christ is showing us through our star that “all things” covers every aspect of our lives that we yield to his will and purpose.

By Angel Williams, COLCC columnist