Shavonne Williams was a 12-year old budding track star and prize
student when she walked onto St. John’s University’s Queens campus
in 2001. She belonged to the Woodside Community Center and, upon
the recommendation of Louis A. Orr III, New York City Housing
Authority (NYCHA) coordinator at the Center, enrolled with her
fellow community members in the After School All-Stars (ASAS)
CampUs program. In her first year, she received a $1,000
scholarship certificate as one of the best and brightest
student-athletes at the camp that year. Almost six years to the
day, Williams returns but this time as an incoming freshman
accepted to St. John’s University and first scholarship winner to
redeem her award for a chance at a college education.
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