High School Student Volunteers to Help Implement Leadership Program as a Former Participant

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Shanice Chang. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

Most people have heard of the singer known only as Usher, but his foundation, Usher’s New Look (UNL), may be less familiar. Founded with his mother in 1999, the organization is comprised of multiple programs for students from eighth grade through five years after high school. It’s based in Atlanta but connects with and supports under-resourced students everywhere. 

“We’re a 10-year, comprehensive program. We were created to create global leaders through internships, exposure, opportunity and education,” says Jessica Washington, national program director. “The year-round program that we offer youth in high school or college is meant to provide them with the tools that their families [or academic classroom] may not be able to provide but what the world really expects our young people to have. We bridge that gap.” 

Shanice Chang, 17, has not only seen tremendous personal growth as a participant in the program but now engages as a volunteer helping implement it. She’s the oldest of three girls with a passion for drawing and a strong interest in studying computer science or software engineering at college. Filming and editing YouTube videos has also captivated her attention. 

“I really enjoy sharing my perspective of life, and what it’s like when you try something new or just sharing my day-to-day,” she explains. 

It’s this bold wandering into the unfamiliar that Jessica recognizes in Shanice’s willingness to volunteer for different programs. 

“She’s shy, but when given an opportunity, she’s not scared. Some of the kids, when given the same opportunities say, ‘No. I’ve never done that before.’ Shanice is willing to try anything,” Jessica states. 

In early 2022, Shanice started as a virtual participant in UNL’s Disruptivator Club. This curriculum helps participants learn some of those things that slip through the cracks and is led by different coordinators, schools, club counselors and more. After participating in the program, Shanice was brought on as a cast member to be part of the team that delivers lessons via video recordings used across the country and internationally. She also remains a part of the Community Partnership Club, a group within Disruptivator Club that volunteers in person for projects in the local community. 

When presented with the chance to join the in-person Leadership Academy last year—something Jessica describes as Disruptivator Club but more intense—Shanice jumped in. The group meets multiple times a week throughout the school year, does off-campus excursions and required assignments and participation. And when it’s completed, participants earn a scholarship. Then, through Leadership Academy, Shanice became a Powered by Service trainer.

“Powered by Service is the one-day leadership program that we teach across the country for kids in grades 8 through 12. We hold a one-day version of Usher New Look certified leadership training. And it’s a peer-led program, so we needed our youth to go out and teach other kids,” Jessica says, emphasizing the added responsibilities. 

Selected students prepare and deliver presentations for students at schools across the country. Shanice has led presentations to more than 2,000 students across Georgia and New York City. Besides teaching, Shanice led a pep rally with 200+ middle schoolers and coordinated team building exercises. 

“We cover tools to manage conflict resolution, mental wellness and other topics like personal branding, leadership, financial literacy, networking and more. It’s all of the things you need for life that don’t usually get talked about,” Shanice explains. 

She admits that she didn’t learn that information from school or at home, though her parents would occasionally mention the importance of having a good credit score. Lessons help students understand how the information can be used in their everyday life. 

Outside of UNL, Shanice competes and volunteers with a nonprofit called Robotics. The group’s coordinator engaged Shanice’s writing skills to write emails to sponsors and create marketing materials that resulted, for example, in a renewed partnership with Uber. She also hopes to set up a little league for younger kids to learn and participate in the upcoming school year. 

“When you’re younger, your mind is more open to a lot of different things. And you have longer to build up those skills,” Shanice explains. 

So, what’s next for this motivated volunteer? After graduation, she plans to mentor with UNL’s “Locals in Training” program.  

“They plan a lot of trips and service projects that help you stay connected to your community. The organization helps you build a network to guide you towards your aspirations—mentors, professionals in your intended field and others.” 

In the meantime, this high school senior is looking forward to being one of 10 co-hosts at the annual UNL Summit at Oglethorpe University, a three-day event she has been planning for months. Hundreds of high schoolers from around the country will head to Atlanta to be inspired and empowered.  

“She’s going to be on stage by herself leading the youth in some of the exercises. She’ll be a panel moderator and she’ll also be helping with social media. Whatever we put out, if we say, Does anyone want to… she says yes, and she does it,” Jessica articulates. 

Aside from the basic skills from Leadership Academy, the summit will bring in speakers from an array of professional fields to answer questions and provide resources. Students will also participate in a campus-wide community service project, and it will all culminate in a dance. 

One of Shanice’s favorite aspects of her time with the organization has been getting to know the people she teaches and seeing her impact. She has learned to personalize her approach, recognizing different comfort levels when it comes to doing new things and taking on challenges. Noting her own shyness, she aims to be someone people feel comfortable opening up to, emphasizing the interpersonal skills she has learned through her experience. 

“We need to see more expressions of kindness in the world. And more people need to find value in seeing other people succeed,” she proclaims. “It’s good to do the right thing just because it’s the right thing, without ulterior motives.” 

As Shanice reminisces on her time with UNL, she takes stock of the people she’s met and the growth of both the organization and her skillset. 

“The more new things she tries, the more things she’s willing to try again. She continues to say yes to things, and if she had any fear at the beginning, she doesn’t now,” Jessica boasts. “She’s awesome.” 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Shanice? Find local volunteer opportunities.