Destiny and D’Aundre Evans remember “starting over a lot with a new house, new school, and new friends.” Raised by a single mother with a father who was in and out, they moved approximately 17 times, at one point spending a month in a Missouri homeless shelter.
D’Aundre declared himself done with the school system after 8th grade. Labeled as the bad kid and often bullied, he developed severe anxiety that eventually manifested in physical symptoms. “I remember being called racist epitaphs, and wondering why white people hated me so much.”
Younger sister Destiny was also the victim of bullying and had trouble fitting in and making friends. Her goal at each new school was to find a teacher she felt comfortable with and who would offer some stability. When she landed in a school where no such teacher existed, she dropped out.
With their mother’s encouragement, both found their way to the GED program at Spoon River College. At 19, Destiny competed the program and continued with college classes. She earned her associate degree in 2023, transferred to Eureka College for a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and is now working towards a master’s degree at Chicago’s Adler University. Her area of interest is behavioral disorders, and her goal is a career in art therapy, a passion that was first sparked by SRC Art professor Jamie Kotewa.
“Destiny started as an insightful and considerate student in a painting class, and then went on to take numerous other art classes,” said Kotewa. “She absolutely blossomed in her confidence, and her willingness to leap into the unknown with art was a delight to help foster. She valued the community built in the art classes as well, so her presence was really felt in the department. It’s been a joy to keep in touch post-graduation, as she has continued to pursue new paths, perhaps some that were imaginable to her years ago.”
At 18, D’Aundre sailed through his GED classes and passed all the tests on the first try. “GED teacher Melissa Koke and the small classroom made it easier for me to open up and be more social.” Koke shared that after he competed the program, he wrote her a letter thanking her for her kindness and encouragement. “A couple of years later when I was having a bad day and questioning whether what I did truly made a difference to anyone, I re-read that letter. It was exactly what I needed at that moment,” said Koke. “He is a kind and smart young man. Students like Destiny and D’Aundre make my job enjoyable and I’m glad I was part of their journeys.”
While D’Aundre’s first attempt at college classes was hindered by his anxiety and transportation issues, he returned five years later and is now excelling, despite underlying issues with BPD and PTSD. “I work hard at being the best person I can be. It’s less stressful when there are instructors I know I can trust with my school and personal life.”
Math professor Sarah Dalpiaz said that following an exam that D’Aundre had scored highest in his class on, he told her his mom had hung it on their refrigerator. “I loved that for him. He came prepared to every class ready to learn, worked diligently, and showed a strong determination to succeed.”
On track to graduate next spring, he will transfer to WIU with an eye towards majoring in psychology. Like his sister, he’s passionate about social justice issues and will follow that path in his career. “I wish him all the best and look forward to hearing about his future accomplishments,” Dalpiaz said.
Both Desitny and D’Aundre were Phi Theta Kappa inductees, and on the Honors lists each semester.
When asked who at SRC had the biggest impact on them, Destiny immediately said it was Art professor Jamie Kotewa, while D’Aundre said it was GED teacher Melissa Koke. And then they continued naming professors. Turns out that all SRC faculty and GED employees they had contact with supported their journeys in some way. Each and every one of them.
It takes a village, and Destiny and D’Aundre found theirs at Spoon River College.
While at Eureka College, Destiny was honored with a Student Spotlight. Read more about her accomplishments Here.
