Graduates Cherelle and Danielle Washington Reflect on Wyman

Twins Cherelle and Danielle Washington are confident young women who recently graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, from St. Louis Career Academy. They’re headed to the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall. Cherelle wants to study communications; Danielle hopes to be a math teacher.

The two admit they are much different people from the shy eighth graders who took part in Wyman Camp Coca-Cola’s inaugural class. Before the camp, Cherelle and Danielle were good students, but they usually kept to themselves and were reluctant to get involved in extracurricular activities.

“Wyman makes you a new person. It gives you a boost of confidence and helps you be yourself – not shy. It’s a test of your character, and it shows you the potential of who you can become,” Cherelle says.

As high school approached, the girls’ science teacher suggested that they apply for Wyman. Cherelle says she was hesitant at first, but their mother convinced her that this was an opportunity they both should pursue. The girls submitted their applications and went in for interviews; both were accepted into the program a couple of weeks later.

Cherelle and Danielle have returned to camp every June and have been true leaders throughout Wyman’s five-year, year-round program. The girls have taken charge of camp-wide presentations, kept active with community volunteer projects, and even recruited a few underclassmen to the program. Along the way, they say that they have learned life lessons and made lifelong friends.

Wyman is more than just a fun summer experience, Danielle says. “It takes a lot of work! Throughout the year Wyman kept in touch with us, as well as our teachers and our mom. They really care about us.”

Today these graduates of Wyman’s first five-year class are returning to camp as counselors-in-training. Reflecting on the things Wyman has taught her, and offering advice to teens just entering the program, Danielle says it’s important to enter camp with an open mind. “I left the first summer with regrets, because I didn’t try everything offered to me. Make an attempt to do everything!”