IN A WORLD OF LEBRONS AND BEYONCES…BE A
MON W
ith a beautiful smile and personality to match, Scott Community College student Monifah Ponton has a way of making those around her feel at ease. Within minutes of meeting two things are clear:
1) Ponton cares deeply about helping other people. 2) Under that bright smile is a fierce
determination to do something great.
For Ponton, who graduated from high school during one of our country’s most intense years (yes, 2020!), the definition of greatness has evolved over time shaping and reshaping her hopes and dreams. “I used to want to be a fashion designer or singer,” she said. “Then one day after a speaker came to my high school, it really hit me what I wanted to do. I wanted to help people.” “I’m not saying Beyonce can’t save the world, but how many Beyonces can we have?” she smiled. The way Ponton sees it, greatness comes in many forms and what the world really needs right now is people who can lift up and help the most vulnerable, like scientists, doctors, nurses, social workers and mental health providers. “There are so many people suffering with mental health problems who have no one else to talk to, young children living in poverty, so many homeless individuals. If you don’t have those professionals to help what do we do? We are failing our own people.” 6
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