Aleena E’Marie Allen, a graduate of Summerville High School, has been named one of nine new Clyburn Scholars at South Carolina State University (SC State) in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This year’s group is the largest in the history of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College. Allen is majoring in elementary education. She has lived in six states and attended several schools due to her family’s military background.
Allen credits her frequent relocations and her father’s military service for helping her develop resilience and leadership skills. She became interested in teaching while in Hawaii, where she joined a Career and Technical Education teacher preparation program at Leilehua High School. She gained experience at Wahiawa Elementary School, created lesson plans, and took college-level education courses. She plans to become a kindergarten teacher.
Allen also plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work after earning her bachelor’s degree in education. She aims to support students’ emotional and academic needs. She has volunteered at the YMCA Summer Camp, tutored at a Teen Center, and worked as an administrative assistant for Dorchester Adult Education…