Meet our Winter Winners serving others through Law, Language, and more
The individuals you’re about to meet are developing their fields of knowledge through intense education. They share a common desire to equip people with the knowledge needed to make sound choices and express themselves with clear voices.
Lale Brown
Once Lale Brown got her Bachelor's Degree from Florida State in 2014, a Major in Music and Minor in Business, she headed straight for New Orleans. It felt like home.
“Finding community with other people of color continues to shape my character and nourishes my spirit in times of duress,” Lale told us. “I have always been community-minded and am very active with local organizations here. Whether it’s giving a member in need a ride to the grocery store as a part of ongoing mutual aid, writing letters and sending books to incarcerated folks, or volunteering my carpentry skills to building a black-focused film screening room – I not only recognize the importance of being of service to my community. I am dedicated to it.”
Her reflection back on her life experiences and her community-minded dedication inspired Lale to move forward. “I’ve always wanted to be someone who takes care of themselves and their community, someone who uses legal means to stand up for the other marginalized people encountering discrimination and harassment,” she said. Lale was accepted into Loyola University New Orleans College of Law where she is pursuing a Civil Law degree and will graduate in May 2024.In addition to school and her community involvement, she works part-time for a law firm and looks forward to being of even more help to marginalized communities in the years ahead.
Leticia G. DeLuna
As Leticia DeLuna took her eldest daughter to look at universities, she was inspired to pursue her own dream of becoming a professional Translator. After 25 years as a wife, mother of 4, and woman holding down a part-time job, Leticia decided 2019 was the right time to enroll in Del Mar College’s Associates program in Foreign Language.
When she was surprised by graduating magna cum laude, she decided to press on toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. While she is learning more Spanish than ever, and how to translate appropriately from Spanish to English and English to Spanish, she has encountered more challenges. Nonetheless, Leticia’s GPA has continued at 4.0 two semesters in a row bringing her satisfaction. She thanks her family and God who she knows have helped her overcome the hardships.
With only two more semesters to go, our Winter 2021 Scholarship Winner will soon graduate. She looks forward to teaching Spanish and English and working in hospitals and courtrooms, as needed.
Rionne Clayton
Rionne Clayton is several years into her Bachelor’s Degree at Xavier University of Louisiana, majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Crime and Social Justice. Her minor is in psychology. While maintaining a full course load, she works part-time and has made the Dean’s List twice. She also plans to get her Masters in Social Work upon graduation. As Rionne put it, “I have continuously pushed myself and did not let self-doubt or fear get in the way of turning my dreams into my reality.”
While Rionne has had self-doubt, she uses the words of Xan Oku, “May the flowers remind us why the rain was necessary” to remind herself that hard work and dedication are faithful companions of hers. “I am forever proud of myself for choosing each day to give back and toward changing people’s lives for the better.” Although Rionne hasn’t chosen her ultimate career goal, she wants to work with children and eventually start a nonprofit focusing on them. The 431 Exchange looks forward to seeing her dream come true.
Aubany Moon
With a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and 8 years of teaching high school students, more than 1,000 students have taken her biology classes. “If even just a few shreds of important scientific information stuck with them, then I have succeeded as an educator,” Aubany said.
Now, pursuing her Masters Degree in Biology, with a focus on conservation, Aubany says it will open doors that will allow her to reach even more students by teaching in post-secondary institutions: community colleges and universities. In her words, “My ultimate goal is to educate others on the importance of conserving our flora and fauna, and to be able to use my experience in the field to inspire others. I am passionate,” Aubany said, “about both education and science, and believe that good educators are essential in shaping the lives of our future leaders.”
While Aubany is facing financial challenges, with tuition and program expenses, she shared that she grew up struggling financially. She added jobs as a graduate teaching assistant, tutor, and teaching labs at the university for extra income and hopes scholarships and grants will also ease the burden. All things considered, Aubany continues to believe we should never stop learning and or growing. “My students were so supportive of my new path,” Aubany said.” They understood my need for change and they were excited for my new adventure. I helped shape their lives and, in turn, they supported me when I needed the push!”