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Valedictorians Determined to Lead the Way by Improving the Linden Community
May 9, 2022 -- Trinity Perry, an 18-year-old Linden-McKinley STEM Academy senior, grew up in a home with no books except for one: the dictionary. At the age of four, Trinity started reading the dictionary from cover to cover multiple times, and that’s how she learned to read. Fourteen years later, Trinity Perry is graduating from Linden-McKinley STEM Academy and is one of the valedictorians of the 2022 graduating class.
“I guess studies just came easy to me,” said Perry. “I love to read, and English is my favorite subject.”
Perry may be shy and soft-spoken, but her motivation, determination, and creativity are impressive. She spent her entire senior year attending Otterbein University as part of the Seniors to Sophomores program. Perry has enough college credit that she will be a sophomore when she begins college.
“Trinity was awarded full-ride scholarships to The Ohio State University, Otterbein University, Denison University, and Case Western University,” said School Counselor Amber Palmer. “She’s also waitlisted at Harvard. Trinity is a finalist for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Program.”
“Yes, I am a little bit surprised that I got into all those schools,” said the smiling Perry. “I’m going to Ohio State because I can get my Master’s Degree in social work in five years.”
School counselor Amber Palmer is not surprised that Trinity chose a career in social work. “She’s had a lot of struggles, but she persevered, and that’s why I am so proud of her,” said Palmer.
Trinity Perry is one of five children at home and is the first in her family to go to college. Growing up in the Linden neighborhood has been challenging, and that’s precisely why she wants to go to college.
“Going to OSU will take me away temporarily so I can focus on my studies,” said Perry. “Then, I can come back to the Linden community and do my part to make it better.”
Perry walks to school every day. Yet, on some days, this young woman fears for her safety.
“It depends on the day whether I feel safe on my way to school,” said Perry. “If there are large crowds that I have to pass, that scares me.”
Instead of running from that fear, Perry is trying to overcome it by organizing neighborhood peace walks and tutoring the youth in the Linden community.
“We play basketball and football with the younger kids,” said Perry. “The athletics may be the attraction, but that’s not the focus for me. I work with the younger kids on their studies, so they focus on school.”
Like Trinity Perry, Malaysha Brunner who is also a Class of 2022 valedictorian, feels deeply for her Linden community, where she was born and bred. In fact, Malaysha is what they call a Legacy student at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy because she’s been at the school since the seventh grade.
“I can’t wait for graduation,” said Brunner. “I’m headed to Alabama State University. I’m leaving Linden for now, but I’m not leaving it behind. I will always come back here.”
Last year, Brunner had enough credits to graduate early from high school and was considering it until she met with her counselor Amber Palmer. The pair came up with a plan of how Malaysha could get the most out of her senior year and has she ever. She is the senior class president and captain of the drill team and received two prestigious scholarships.
“Malaysha was awarded both the Jane Burns DeWitt Baumann Scholarship and the James Preston Poindexter Scholarship Fund through the Columbus Foundation,” said Palmer.
Sanctuary Columbus Church works with the Columbus Foundation to reduce the opportunity gap by providing a $20,000 scholarship to Linden-McKinley graduates who plan to attend a Historically Black College or University. The Jane Burns DeWitt Baumann Scholarship is also $20,000; and is named after a Columbus City Schools graduate, Class of 1949. An advocate for public education, the Jane Burns DeWitt Baumann Scholarship is given to students who plan to be future educators, and that’s what Malaysha Brunner wants to do.
“There were so many teachers and counselors that made a difference in my life that I want to do the same for kids just like me. I want to help them just like I was helped,” said Brunner.
Congratulations, Trinity Perry and Malaysha Brunner, Linden-McKinley STEM Academy Valedictorians, Class of 2022.