Huck House Youth Award Winners: Sammie and Na’Shale

Meet Sammie

Despite physical and mental barriers, Sammie has grown immensely throughout his high school years. In October 2017, Sammie was shot while walking home from school. A seven-hour surgery repaired what could be repaired, but he lost his spleen and suffered nerve damage to his right wrist. Scheduled to graduate in 2020, Sammie has taught himself to write with his left hand. Sammie is a proud employee at the Donatos Pizza Bryce Road location. He is a true role model for his younger brothers and the entire Walnut Ridge High School student body.

Sammie is a member of BE THE ONE and has accumulated more than 400 hours of community service by making chemo kits for the James Cancer Center, elevated dog beds for local shelters, blankets for the Van Buren homeless shelter and numerous decorations for the Ronald McDonald House. His future plans include attending a culinary school to further pursue his passions.

Sammie is motivated to set an example and show the world how to overcome a variety of obstacles to make the work a better and safer place for all. 

Meet Na’Shale

Before Na’Shale entered the Huckleberry House Transitional Living Program, she had experienced an ectopic pregnancy, a rocky relationship with her mother, and was kicked out by her grandmother. Na’Shale does not let past circumstances keep her from accomplishing her goals and finding what is better in life. 

She is currently one of our young people in our Transitional Living Program. She works at Motivate Co, is looking for a second job and is enrolled at Columbus State. Na’Shale hopes to be a plastic surgeon in LA when she graduates. She is staying motivated to work for these dreams by the family and kids she does not yet have.  

Na’Shale has shown what it means to advocate for yourself! Although she has had a rough past, she is resilient young person. This young lady has big dreams and aspirations and everyone who works with her enjoys being with her. 

Want to hear Sammie and Na’Shale share their stories and help them celebrate their successes? Purchase tickets to the Huck House Youth Awards Dinner on Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30pm at the Boat House at Confluence Park.