Like most seniors in high school, nurse the challenge of senior year was a new one. With college applications, stuff SAT’s, viagra and “senioritis”, Donovan Chew, of John Marshall High School, pushed through and is now ready to start college.
During his senior year, Chew had the typical senior schedule but also took on several advanced placement classes and one dual enrollment technical class through the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program offered at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
While taking part in the STEM program, Chew was also a treasurer for the Student Government Association (SGA), a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), and a member of Virginia Technology Student Association (VA TSA) at the Richmond Technical Center.
Chew participated in the Omega Psi Phi community outreach program and made it to the level of Life Scout while participating in Boy Scouts.
Along with pursuing community service activities and participating in several student organizations, Chew was heavily involved with sports while in high school. He was a member and captain of the boy’s volleyball team for 3 years straight. “I never played volleyball in my life,” Chew said. “My ninth grade year I did ok, and then my tenth grade year is the year that I just had a breakout season. I just loved playing the game afterwards. I got better and better every year, and I was a good leader so she made me the captain. “
“Donovan has always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and ambition, “ Stefanie Ramsey, Chew’s volleyball coach wrote in a recommendation letter. “He is definitely a leader rather than a follower.”
When off from volleyball, Chew was a member of the baseball team and plans to continue to play while in college, possibly after.
Chew will be attending Old Dominion University in the fall. He will be majoring in civil engineering. He is planning to pursue a career in structural engineering. As an engineer, he would like to design highways, airports, bridges, etc.
Chew says a teacher in 8th grade influenced him to think about engineering as a career. After taking a structural class in 11th grade through the STEM curriculum, he enjoyed the concepts and now wants to pursue it as a career.
Chew says academics come first, because he wants to make his family proud. Raised by his grandmother and grandfather, he says they push him to do well in school and life. “I’ve lived with them (grandparents) my whole life. They really have pushed me to get through school and do the best that I can. They have been the biggest inspiration in my life,” Chew said. “They are probably the reason that I have made it this far.”
