Friends share October Student of the Month honor
CHADRON – Chadron State College student-athletes Louis Smith and Tevon Wright can now add being named Project Strive/TRiO Students of the Month to the growing list of things they have experienced together. The duo met their freshman year during football’s preseason and have become close friends.
That friendship and time spent together is why Wright believes he and Smith are sharing student of the month honors.
“We’re on the same agenda and do the same things,” said Wright, a junior sports recreation management major from Miami, Florida. “I feel they see our progress from freshman year and working our way up.”
The progress both have shown can somewhat be credited to each other.
“I feel that we push each other. Everything we do is a competition from football to our grades,” Wright said. “I feel we benefit each other because we are pushing for greatness.”
Smith, a junior business management major from Fort Pierce, Florida, said he feels he has helped to mentor and motivate Wright.
Both Smith and Wright said they have benefited from and enjoy being a part of Project Strive/TRiO.
“Project Strive/TRiO provides me with materials when I need them and helps me with all of the little things,” Smith said. “It is a family away from home.”
The comfort of home at Project Strive/TRiO is also something Wright appreciates.
“When I think about Project Strive, the first thing that comes to mind is it is a welcoming environment and a place of comfort. It is genuine.” Wright said. “Everyone here is very happy and helpful. I like having someone to go to as a mentor.”
The mentor Wright references is Jennifer Schaer, director of Project Strive/TRiO. Schaer, Wright and Smith’s academic adviser at Project Strive/TRiO, said the duo balances each other out. At the same time, she said both are great additions to the program.
“When Tevon enters a room one can’t help but smile. Tevon has a carefree spirit about him that makes everyone around him relax and enjoy the moment. He is focused on his future but knows that one needs to enjoy life,” Schaer said. “Tevon is a great addition to Project Strive and helps to get new members into the program.”
Schaer said it is a pleasure to have Smith be a part of Project Strive.
“Focused would be one word that I would use to describe Louis,” Schaer said. “Louis is serious and takes his studies seriously. As a business major, he knows that getting his degree will help him fulfill his dreams.”
Future goals for both include playing professional football. Smith is also interested in working at a business firm and eventually working his way up to become a CEO. Wright has his eye on becoming an athletic trainer or physical therapist.
Smith said anyone who can become a part of Project Strive/TRiO would be blessed to do it.
“Everyone should take advantage of it if they go to school here. It is a great program and helps you in so many ways,” Wright said.
Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/.
Category: Campus News