For Markesha Dunham, trendsetting isn't about being cool.
"Trendsetting and leadership to me means being able to be an advocate for anything you believe in, whether it's well-known or socially acceptable," said Markesha, a 2009 graduate of Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.
The 17-year-old dedicates her time to teaching teens and adults about infant mortality as part of the Girls Inc. IMPACT program. IMPACT stands for Infant Mortality Public Awareness Campaign of Tennessee.
"I barely knew what infant mortality was when I started," said Markesha, who became involved with IMPACT after being a part of the leadership and advocacy program at Girls Inc.
TRENDSETTING STUDENTS
Hillary Holmes, 17
* School: Recent graduate Girls Preparatory School
* Future plans: Occidental College, planning to study journalism, art history and international diplomacy.
* Claim to fame: Tries new things. Was student council president, a goal she set in sixth grade. Plays golf, performs in musicals, founding member of the bowling team.
* She said: "I had never bowled before really. I didn't know anyone who was doing it, and this year we went to state. I really liked seeing the team go from losing every match to seeing the team grow and be successful."
Markcus Kitchens, 17
* School: Tyner Academy
* Future plans: Rising senior, will be chairman of the Hamilton County superinten-dent's student advisory council.
* Claim to fame: Has been class president for three years.
* He said: "(Trendsetting means being) able to accomplish your goals and also pave a way for other people who are coming up behind you."
Andrew McNair, 18
* School: Recent graduate of Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences
* Future plans: Deciding between Vanderbilt and Birmingham Southern College. Plans to go to medical school.
* Claim to fame: Recently became an Eagle Scout, member of Tennessee All-State Band, commended student on the PSAT.
* He said: "It's not that common for a Scout to make it all the way through. To get the award you have to complete a service project."
The focus of IMPACT, she said, is not on reducing teen pregnancy. "Our focus is about educating our peers about infant mortality," she said.
Markesha has been a member of Model United Nations and said she has motivated some of her friends to try it as well. In addition to community service-based activities, she also enjoys performing and was involved with show choir at her school.
"Definitely with a lot of things I do, some of my peers really don't understand why I would take part in something like that as opposed to something a 'normal' teen would do. It's not something a teen is technically supposed to care about.
"I respond by saying it's an interest of mine. Just like sports may be an interest for something else, it's an extracurricular I'm interested in."
Markesha plans to attend Berea College in Kentucky. She intends to major in women's studies, minor in Spanish and eventually go on to medical school.
