Ferguson Fellows
Supporting Chicago Lights Tutoring students’ high school education
About the Program | The Newest Class of Ferguson Fellows
Continuing Fellows | For More Information
Dana Ferguson Myers joined
the staff of Fourth Church as Associate Pastor for Mission in 1998. Even after being named Executive Associate Pastor in 2005, she remained deeply committed to the outreach of this congregation, particularly Chicago Lights Tutoring.
In October 2008, Dana passed away at the age of forty-two, but her passion and spirit continue to live on throughout Fourth Church and Chicago Lights Tutoring. It is in that spirit that her colleagues and friends created the Dana Ferguson Myers Memorial Education Fund in 2009 to support educational endeavors of Chicago Lights Tutoring students attending public high schools.
Funded by gifts received in Dana’s memory, this fellowship program provides funds and other educational tools to encourage successful completion of ninth grade, which has been shown to be a critical factor in predicting high school graduation.
Ferguson Fellows students receive
- A laptop
- Assistance with school expenses (fees, books, travel, etc.) up to $300
- Financial assistance that will continue and increase through high school graduation if the Fellow meets all requirements
Congratulations to the 2012–2013 Ferguson Fellows!
Photos of the Introduction of This Year’s Fellows | October 14, 2012
Shawn Childs (Lane Tech College Prep) graduated at the top of his eighth grade class and loves to play basketball and tennis. In applying for the fellowship, he said, “Being a Ferguson Fellow would help me strive to work hard and stay focused on what I want in life. I think that if I use my strengths I can be very successful.” Shawn’s goal is to pursue a career in engineering or virtual design.
Kellee King (Lincoln Park High School) says that her education means everything to her. She plans to “study hard, come to school on time, ask for help when needed, focus on work, participate in class, and turn in all homework” in order to maintain her GPA and the scholarship she’s been awarded. After graduation from high school and college, Kellee dreams of creating a charity that would help people who are homeless.
Felton Russell (Chicago Bulls College Prep) had a tough eighth grade year: “I gave up on myself. I was constantly telling myself, ‘I can’t do it.’” But everything changed when he decided, as he puts it, “If I want to succeed in life, I have to push myself.” He starts his freshman year focused on how education will help him in pursuing his future goals: making it to the NBA or becoming a computer technician. “I plan to achieve these goals by working my way out of high school and looking for a good college,” says Felton.
Coby Williams (Lincoln Park High School) has been involved with Tutoring and Summer Day since the summer before eighth grade. He described the Ninth Grade Readiness program as “just the prep I needed to get started for high school” and says that “becoming a Ferguson Fellow will help in developing my educational goals.” Coby loves business and hopes to start his own clothing and shoe line after college.
Continuing Fellows from Previous Classes
- Tushawn Trimble, a member of the first class of Ferguson Fellows (senior at Prosser Career Academy)
- Dejah Johnson (junior at Noble Street Charter School)
- Sharidan Rickmon (junior at Curie High School)
- Chazz Brickford (sophomore at Westinghouse College Prep)
- Diamond Collins (sophomore at Noble Street Charter School)
- Diamond Jenkins (sophomore at Ogden International School of Chicago)
For more information about the Ferguson Fellows program or the Dana Ferguson Myers Memorial Education Fund, contact Katy Frey Bever at 312.981.3380.
