JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Being recognized by the president in front of America wasn't on the mind of Denisha Merriweather while she was growing up on Jacksonville's Eastside.
She was just trying to make it through school.
Merriweather tells Action News Jax, “I couldn’t read. I didn’t know my multiplication tables coming into the sixth grade. I was reading below my grade level.”
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With a mother who was constantly moving, the odds were stacked against Merriweather.
She failed the third grade twice and says that trend would have continued in the Duval County Public Schools system.
“I didn’t care about school anymore and there was no reason for me to care now, especially now because I tried, I tried really hard and my efforts weren’t successful,” Merriweather said.
She attended seven schools in Jacksonville before she was given an opportunity in the sixth grade.
“My whole world changed and I always credit it to the Step Up for Students Scholarship that I received,” Merriweather said.
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The tax credit scholarship allowed her to attend Espirit de Corps, a private school with smaller classes.
“It taught me to care about something, whereas before I didn’t have anything to do,” Merriweather said.
Merriweather flourished, becoming the first in her family to graduate high school and then college.
Now 25 years old, she is the poster child for School Choice, a title she wears with pride whether she’s being honored by President Donald Trump or working to get the same opportunities for all students.
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