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Reach Jennifer Vogelsong at 771-2034 or jvogelsong@ydr.com.
Juanita Kirkland
Age: 55
Residence: York
Occupation: Parent-and-community support liaison for the York City School District
Education: 1969 graduate of William Penn Senior High School; took some college classes
Family: Husband, Kerry Sr.; daughters, Erica, 37, Monica, 35, Juana, 26; sons, Kerry Jr., 29, Omar, 25.
Community involvement: My pet project would be the Block and Tackle program here at the high school that works with the athletes in an after-school tutorial program and awards
Hobbies/interests: Working with youth and their families.
What is the biggest challenge you've faced? How did you overcome it? My two sons are both blind and hearing impaired, so to mainstream them in the public school system and have my oldest graduate from Thompson Business School with an associate degree and have the youngest attending Baltimore School of Massage Therapy. A lot of that came from the support we had from family, friends and the overall community.
What is your proudest accomplishment? Why? The Block and Tackle program.
What would you change if you could? I think we all travel our roads for a reason.
What are your goals for the future? We'd like to make sure there is inclusion in our community so there is growth and opportunity here for our children. I'd like to make sure they can be included in the economic stream of progress that is going on in our community.
Who is your role model and/or mentor? I always look at my husband as a role model. I always come up with a lot of ideas, but I think he has the know-how to make them come to fruition.
Also, Arthur A. Fletcher, from the Washington, D.C.-area, was a tremendous role model for me. My husband worked closely with him in the political arena, and he was a real grassroots person who loved working with and for the people. He's considered the father of affirmative action.
What is the best advice you've ever received? To have faith. Without that I wouldn't be able to make it day by day.
What is the most important lesson you have learned? To have faith and trust in God and everything will be OK.
What advice would you give to the Rising Stars? There is no individuality in any of this. It takes a community - recognizing the needs in the community and doing your part in making sure those needs are taken care of. Identify the gifts you have been given and put them to good use to make sure your community is taken care of.
Stefan Cravens
Age: 44
Residence: Manchester Township
Occupation: Met-Ed technician
Education: 1980 graduate of William Penn Senior High School, Certificate from the School of Computer Technology in Pittsburgh
Family: Wife, Valarie; son, Ted, 18; daughters, Stefanie, 6; Sydni, 3
Community involvement: Active with Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene, a director for the York Boys Club and 16 years coaching the club's football team
Hobbies/interests: All sports, but especially working out, running, lifting weights, playing basketball and tennis
What is the biggest challenge you've faced? How did you overcome it? Growing
up in the city, I always had good people around me, so I didn't fall into anything.
What is your proudest accomplishment? Why? I would say 50 wins at Boys Club, but also, the kind of man I turned out to be. I think my dad - he passed away 10 years ago - would have been proud of me.
What would you change if you could? Education-wise, I think I would have worked on that a little more.
What are your goals for the future? I'll always be involved with youth because I really believe, especially in the city, the kids need someone positive, someone who is really going to put in the time to be there for them. I'm in a situation I can do that and I'm more than willing. I get a lot out of it.
Who is your role model and/or mentor? My father and my uncle. I grew up in a very, very close family. We did things together all the time. Just watching them handle their business, it seemed like they handled things right. The older I got, I could see that even though they didn't have jobs where they made tons of money, they didn't waste their money. They taught me a lot about managing my finances.
Also, my former Sunday school teachers Voni Grimes and Ray Crenshaw have always been a part of my life.
What is the best advice you've ever received? My dad always said “Be good people” and “Don't worry so much about the stuff you can't change. Those things seem to work themselves out most of the time.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned? My parents always told me my faith was important, and I needed to stick strong with that. I was one of those kids who won awards for not missing a Sunday - but it wasn't always because I wanted to be there. Still, I'm thankful now that was the direction I was pushed in.
What advice would you give to the Rising Stars? If people just sit back and look and realize how truly blessed they are, they will take the time to give back.
Yvannda Jones
Age: 36
Residence: York
Occupation: Assembler at Harley Davidson
Education: 1988 graduate of William Penn Senior High School
Family: Daughters, Brianna Biggers, 14; Yasmyne Biggers, 11.
Community involvement: Member of Crispus Attucks and a volunteer there.
Hobbies/interests: Bingo.
What is the biggest challenge you've faced? How did you overcome it? Being a single parent raising two kids. I just never give up, no matter how hard it is. I always strive to do the best.
What is your proudest accomplishment? Why? My girls. They're respectful, and when they're out in the world, they're the best they can be, so that makes me look good.
What would you change if you could? To be married.
What are your goals for the future? To find someone to help raise my children.
Who is your role model and/or mentor? Jacquie Martino. I went through a lot of classes trying to do new things in life, and no matter what I did, she told me to never give up.
What is the best advice you've ever received? Treat people the way you want to be treated.
What is the most important lesson you have learned? Never take anything for granted.
What advice would you give to the Rising Stars? Be the best you can be. No matter how hard it gets, it always has to get better.
Meet another star on the rise
Ashley Ruth
Age: 20
Residence: York
Occupation: Full-time junior at York College, majoring in behavioral sciences with a concentration in community studies and minors in criminal justice and public administration
Education: 2004 graduate of William Penn Senior High School
Family: Parents, Nathaniel and Michele Ruth; sister, Jaleasha; brothers, Marlin and Anthony
Community involvement: She is a counselor at Crispus Attucks summer day camp and a volunteer for special events at Crispus Attucks. She also belongs to York College's Unity Club, is an orientation leader/peer advisor at the college, a student employee for multicultural affairs and student outreach, a member of the criminal justice association and a recipient of a York College Community Opportunities Scholarship.
Hobbies/interests: Shopping, reading, spending time with family and friends
What is the biggest challenge you've faced? How did you overcome it? Getting used to college life - it's way different than high school. I got involved with organizations here to meet new people and that really helped.
What is your proudest accomplishment? Why? Freshman year, I made the dean's list.
What would you change if you could? I try to live life with no regrets.
What are your goals for the future? To get my undergrad and graduate degrees and find a career I'm happy with and have a family of my own.
Who is your role model and/or mentor? My mother, of course. We have a good relationship and talk about things. Miss (Jacquie) Martino and staff of summer day camp. They kind of took me under their wings and guided me. I admire their patience - working with youth every day requires that.
What is the best advice you've ever received? It's the quote: “Be who you are and state how you feel because those who matter won't mind and those who mind don't matter.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned? You can make the best out of any situation by always maintaining a positive attitude.
What advice would you give to the Rising Stars? Continue your commitment to the community and the youth.
MISS PART 1?
Yesterday, in Part 1 of this series, we met four established leaders in York's black community who have been shining brightly as examples for others. If you missed it, go online at ydr.com/living.
