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Brian Danforth Marches to his Own Drum
by Christopher Hewitt
Brian Danforth
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The Student Government Association Student of the Year award was given this year to Brian Danforth, a man of high honors.
Danforth was also one of two graduation speakers for the class of 2006. And he is one of six students selected to go to Guatemala this summer to do hurricane and flood relief through a Hester Center Internship Award.
"I feel honored. It's very humbling because I am not a 4.0 student by any means. I have a 3.52, but the award is not all about grades. It's more of what you do in the community and your involvement around campus."
Danforth has done much in his four years at Mars Hill. He is vice president of the Student Government Association (S.G.A.). He is a member of the Bonner Scholars program. He is a member of the Business Honors Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (F.C.A.). He is a resident director of Huffman and is on the National Deans List.
"If I had to define my time at Mars Hill in one word it would be awesome," says Danforth. "My experience here has been life-changing. I have stretched myself out. I did something here I would have never done in high school."
Being a Bonner Scholar meant that he put in 140 hours of volunteer work per semester, plus another 280 hours of service each summer. He mainly worked with children. He worked as a physical education director at Mars Hill Elementary School. He also worked in the elementary school after-school program and in the school's summer camp. He also did service at YMCA-Asheville.
"Lifeworks and the Bonner Scholars program was an eye-opening ordeal. I did not do much service work in high school so I did not know what to expect. I was kind of uneasy at first. When I started helping people I realized that the world is about more than just me. It was real people with real problems."
Danforth looked up to a Mars Hill graduate named Mike Grant, who was one of two graduation speakers for the winter graduating class in December 2003. He says Grant inspired him to be the man he is today. "I got to watch a true man of God. He was the very thing I wanted to be as a man." Grant took Danforth to a church in Asheville called the River of Life, which Danforth still attends.
Danforth says Grant helped mold him. "He was a man of God and was not afraid to show it. He is a big reason I stayed at Mars Hill. Being at Mars Hill I have created relationships with just about everyone here. God has placed people in my life that I know I can call on twenty years down the road."
He is graduating with degree in computer science. He is from North Augusta, South Carolina. In his down-time he likes to watch movies by himself. He loves to have time to himself, but because he is involved in so many things on campus, that does not happen a lot.
Danforth plays the piano and the drums. "The drums are my main instrument. I have played since I was twelve. I played for two main gospel groups." He was also a featured drummer during the Bailey Mountain Cloggers annual spring show.
He played football his freshman and sophomore years. "I stopped playing because I did not have the passion to play anymore. I felt that God was calling me in other directions of life."
In January 2005 he started a Web Design business called DS Design Solutions LLC with Derrick Stevenson, a Mars Hill graduate. Their business has been running for a year and a half. It employs Mars Hill graduates Kirby Lee, computer support; Ryan Howell, graphic design; and Mark Merck. Stevenson and Danforth took a Graphics class together and always competed against each other. "We always had the best projects in the class," says Danforth, "so I called Derrick and said, "Let's work together." The business took off from there. It was a vision for God."
He desires to impact the world. "I want to be an example for other young black men. I took an idea and made it a reality."
Danforth is considering mentoring youth. 'I try to impact a person the first time I meet them because you may never see them again.
"I have a lot to accomplish. You can't always wait for people to make opportunities. You have to go out and create your own. I want to be remembered as a man of integrity, a Christian guy, and as someone who just enjoyed life."
During the graduation speech for his class of seniors he hopes to "motivate other seniors to influence the world. I would like to personally thank everyone and anyone of the Mars Hill community who has spoken to me, because it has had an impact on me. Keep praying for me."
Click for speech
Reader Comment:
Sister Mary M. Ennis - 5/2/2006, 12:14:20 p.m.
Congratulations and Best Wishes. I met you at your grand-parents' 5th Anniversary Celebration in Augusta. I knew when you made remarks that God has special plans for you. Continue to keep up the good work. Your grandmother is a great person who believes success and nothing less. God Bless!
LaZendra Bossard - friend, 5/2/2006, 5:32:29 p.m.
Brian Danforth should be nominated for Ebony Magazine Successful African Americans 30 and under.
Sheila B. Danforth - Grandmother, 5/3/2006, 11:49:33 a.m.
As the grandmother of Brian, I must say that we are extremely proud of him and his accomplishments. Thanks to you for sharing this well-wriiten piece for many to read and be blessed by what Brian has accomplished. One only needs to read and be encouraged.
Audrey Lowe - MHC parent, 5/3/2006, 4:14:14 p.m.
I am very impressed with this article on Brian Danforth. Brian my heart overflows with proudness and gladness for you and your family. You are truly a young man of God and a wonderful role model for all young men. Prayers will continue to be with you, and God will continue to guide you. If you don't remember me, I am your Aunt Mary's friend and Autin and Avery's mother. Keep up the good work!
Sheila Danforth Hall - parent, 5/3/2006, 10:40:09 p.m.
Thank you for honoring Brian. He deserves the props. He has had a tremendous four years, and we appreciate all the support and love given to him during his stay in Mars Hill. From our family to yours, Thank you!
Lula M. Green - MHC parent, 5/3/2006, 11:51:14 p.m.
How do I get a copy of your newspaper? Very nice story that was printed on Brian Danforth.
Clide M. Coppin,5/4/2005, 2:58 p.m.
Great article. Just when I was feeling down and out and attacked by the devil I read this article. It gave me the motivation I need to go forth in the name of the Lord. I am a friend of Brian's mother and have followed his life through her. God bless all of you.
Sis. Mary Ann Gist, GSD of District One O.E.S., 5/5/2006, 12:31 a.m.
Congratulations Brian! Keep on being a positive role model, which is very much needed in today's society. I am proud of your accomplishments, and I wish you continued success in the years ahead.
Pastor Alton L. Scott, 5/5/2006, 10:12 a.m.
This is an incredible story of a young man daring to follow the voice of God, and the results have shown that truly God is with him. I am extremely proud of Brian's involvement in church, school and community as a whole. This is a testament of giving back. What is Life if truly you as a individual have never given of yourself for the benifit of someone else's growth and maturity? You are an inspiration to all. Keep up the good work. God is saying , "Well done."
Rev. & Mrs. Boykin B. Jordan,5/6/2006, 10:22 p.m.
Congratulations and best wishes to Brian. We met Brian at his Grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary, and we were very impressed with the remarks that he made at that time. We know that he will continue to let God use him, for he is truly an inspiration to all who have met him. May God continue to bless him, and he will surely have much success in the future. We pray that Brian will continue to look to the hills from whence his help cometh. Thanks for sharing the article.
Keisha Hall, cousin, 5/7/2006, 6:07 p.m.
This is a remarkable story, and Brian is as geniune in person as he is in this write-up. You could have not picked a better person to write about, someone that could inspire and touch the lives of those who read it. Brian is a person on God and Love, and it always shows. We will be reading many more articles and accomplishments of Brian because he has only just begun!!!!!!!
Yvette Dimanche, 5/15/2006, 7:33 p.m.
Brian Danforth is indeed a special person. As his cousin I can say that since he was little there has always been a beautiful spirit that surrounds him. Brian is a focused and Godly man. I am so proud of him.
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