African-American teens are avid learners, like to learn and are America’s future. We all just have to be good human beings and know how to respect and treat others.

That is the message Rashad J. Seaborne, a 15-year-old freshman at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, has for his peers.

Rashad is one of four high school students in Virginia to win the “2018 Strong Men & Strong Women in Virginia History” essay contest sponsored by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia.

He was recognized during a ceremony on Feb. 7 at a Downtown hotel. As a winner, he will receive an Apple MacBook Air laptop and $1,000 for his school.

He says his parents, Rahkeem and Angela Seaborne of Petersburg, were as surprised and ecstatic as he was when they learned he won.

“They were both surprised and extremely proud,” he says. “My sister, Amya Renee, was the happiest one in the family. My mother said if I won, my present computer would go to my sister.”

Nearly 300 students from across the state entered the contest. Rashad’s winning essay used Mavis Claytor-Ford, the first African-American to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Virginia and one of this year’s Strong Men & Strong Women honorees, as an example of persistence in the face of racial adversity and while achieving academic excellence.

His essays talks about the parallels in his own life.

“Every day, I have to challenge individuals who I encounter to not believe or see those stereotypes that may be in their minds about me and the thousands of other young African-American adolescent males that are just like me,” he wrote.

“One of the main reasons that (Ms. Claytor-Ford’s experience) stands out more than others to me is that, like Claytor-Ford, I am in a predominately white school. There are not many minority groups here. I feel like her story inspires me to keep pushing and to keep working even when the going gets rough.”

His parents, he says, have been very influential in his transition from middle to high school. They gave him advice on how to make friends.

Basketball and baseball, sports he has enjoyed since childhood, have helped him grow as a person, he says. They’ve taught him time management skills and teamwork.

He participates in other freshman activities and does writing and layout on the yearbook staff.

“I like interviewing, writing stories and getting quotes from other people. It is a little bit intimidating, but it gets you out of your comfort zone,” says the Green Dragons’ sports reporter. “After you get the feel for it, it’s very engaging. I like it.”

His father, he notes, is his constant teacher and guide on the path to manhood.

“My dad teaches me to be a good man and father, a good learner, how to treat and respect my elders, women and other people, how to keep going forward and to work hard,” he says with pride in his voice. “We are the future.” Meet student essay winner and this week’s Personality, Rashad J. Seaborne.

Latest honor: 2018 Central Region Essay Winner in the “Strong Men & Strong Women” Student Writing Contest sponsored by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia.

High school: Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. 

Extracurricular activities: Fall baseball, junior varsity basketball and yearbook.

Parents: Rahkeem and Angela Seaborne.

Sibling: Sister, Amya Renee Seaborne, 11. 

Date and place of birth: Oct. 8 in Henrico County.

Current residence: Petersburg.

Mavis Claytor-Ford was: The first African-American woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Virginia in 1970 and went on to earn her master’s degree in 1985.

As indicated in my winning essay about Mavis Claytor-Ford, what obstacles have I faced working toward my goals: As indicated in my essay, I have had to challenge individuals that I meet to not see the stereotypes that they may have in their minds about young African-American males today. I have to show them that I and countless other young men, just like myself, are articulate, intelligent, witty, engaged learners and leaders of tomorrow.

What lessons did I learn from reading about Mavis Claytor-Ford: I learned that Mavis Claytor-Ford continued to persevere in order to achieve her career goals despite facing many obstacles and challenges.  

Biggest challenge I have faced in my academic life: The biggest challenge I have faced in my academic life thus far would have to be the transition from middle to high school. I came to Maggie Walker Governor’s School, a school of almost 800 students, from Saint Joseph School in Petersburg, a school of more than 100 students. That within itself was pretty overwhelming! Another challenge that I have faced academically is finding the balance to manage the rigor of my studies this year while continuing to remain involved in all the other things that I enjoy doing. I think I have a pretty good handle on them both. I am always up for a good challenge. 

Career goal: I have yet to decide exactly what career path I am going to choose.

Ultimate ambition: My ultimate ambition, like every other teenager I know, would be to play in the NBA!

Teacher who influenced me the most: I have been blessed to have so many teachers throughout my academic journey who have helped to shape me into the young man that I am. One that stands out would have to be Mr. Sean Lee, my eighth-grade English and social studies teacher. 

Perfect day: A perfect day for me would be not having anywhere to go or anything to do except play video games with my friends.

How I relax: I enjoy playing basketball, listening to music and spending time with my family and friends. 

Best late-night snack: Vanilla ice cream

Three words that best describe me: Kind, easygoing and respectable. 

Nobody knows that I: Cannot tell you because then everyone would know.

The persons who influenced me the most: My parents.

What I would like to change in the world: I would like to change the fact that so many people go hungry every day. If I could, I would end world hunger.

What I would like to change in my community: I would like to change some individuals’ negative perspective about my community. I love my city and community and think it is a pretty neat place to live.

My outlook for the future: My outlook for the future is very bright. So many young people, like myself, are helping to shape the better tomorrow that we will all share.

Kindergarten taught me: How to share.

The book that influenced me the most: “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” by James Patterson.

What I’m reading now: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon.

My next goal: Not just my next goal, but a constant goal, is to continue to represent myself as best I can, set a positive example for my sister and to make my mother and father proud.