Launch at LPS: Cherawn becomes MVP at Bryan Community by boosting classmates

April 29, 2025

Cherawn’s ability to boost the confidence of his Bryan Community Focus Program classmates has helped him reach Most Valuable Pupil status in the school’s hallways.
 
Cherawn has used his outgoing and uplifting personality to create a positive path forward at the focus program. The senior has become a role model for others by injecting encouragement into every conversation he has. His quick smiles, friendly greetings and pick-me-up discussions with friends have made a difference in both academic and personal settings.

 
“I don’t want to see anybody being down, because I know how it feels,” Cherawn said. “Why would you want to hurt someone when you could help them? You want to set someone up for success, because if you set them up for success, it’s going to be an ongoing thing, a recycling of great.”
 
Bryan Community Principal Denise Craig said students and teachers have benefited from Cherawn’s enthusiasm in many ways. She said he has built authentic friendships by showing that he cares for others and wants everyone to do well.
 
“Cherawn brings a positive vibe every single day,” Craig said. “He is charismatic and makes people feel welcome. He greets all staff members heartily each time he sees them in the hall, and he’s kind and energetic.”

 
Cherawn said he noticed a welcoming environment on campus when he arrived at Bryan Community this fall. The smaller class sizes meant additional opportunities for teachers to help students with lessons, and he felt a sense of camaraderie with people who were looking to achieve similar academic goals.
 
“It’s comfortable being here,” Cherawn said. “I feel more successful here, and definitely I’m able to work harder and just put pencil to paper and get things done. It’s thanks to the teachers and all of the support that I’ve had here.”
 
Cherawn’s efforts caught the attention of Bryan Community staff members Dwight Brown and Nathan Gumb. They said his willingness to talk to all students has been a source of sunshine at school.
 
“There will be a student who I know is kind of struggling and feeling out of place or whatnot, and Cherawn will walk by and say, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ and that type of thing,” Brown said. “That smile totally changes that student that day.”

 
Gumb coaches an American Legion baseball team in Lincoln, and he and Brown were talking one day about the extraordinary achievements of Most Valuable Player Award winners. Both felt Cherawn had reached that MVP level, and they wanted to do something to share their gratitude with him.
 
Brown and Gumb autographed a new baseball and wrote several inspirational messages on it for Cherawn. They approached him this spring and gave him the gift as a gesture of their appreciation.
 
“It wasn’t like an official school award or anything, but it was something Nate and I had talked about because we were so happy that Cherawn was a part of our community,” Brown said. “We just pulled him aside and we said, ‘We just feel like you’re an MVP.’ No one has ever gotten that type of recognition before. It was something Nate and I talked about and we said we have to recognize this guy in some way, because he brings something special and sincere.”
 
“I’ve still got it in my room,” Cherawn said. “It definitely has its own little holder. I’m definitely very appreciative of that because both of them have brought out a better me.”

 
Cherawn will graduate from Bryan Community in May and is eyeing a future career as either a barber or fashion designer. He said being able to overcome several obstacles in his life has taught him the importance of self-esteem and having a positive mindset. He said both career options would allow him to help others feel good about themselves as well.
 
“I really just had to focus on how I would adjust my well-being for myself,” Cherawn said. “Really, dressing up and just taking care of myself helped me a lot, so I feel like I can do the same for other people, and I want to do it.”

 
Cherawn said he has enjoyed being part of the close-knit environment at school. He felt he has become a better communicator in his time on campus.
 
“I don’t really consider this like a school. It’s more of a community,” Cherawn said. “It feels like a home, I can’t even lie. Everybody here is so in tune with each other and everybody is so close that you can really ask anyone for help. You can go to them and they can come to you.”

 
Brown said that type of encouraging outlook on life would allow Cherawn to reach MVP status in whatever career field he pursues.
 
“It’s not fake,” Brown said. “I watch not just what students do when they know they’re being watched, but also when they don’t know anybody’s looking at them. And I can tell you that Cherawn has had legit sincerity from day one. It’s been really awesome to see.”

Congratulations, Cherawn!

We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
We are thankful our educators could help you Launch at LPS!
 

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Check out our graduation page at https://home.lps.org/graduation/ to get the details on celebrating your favorite high school grad.
 
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