We’ll have twenty young hikers with us for our 2011 trip to the Shenandoah Mountains—most of them knew Emmanuel Durant, Jr. as a friend or family member. The cost of food, lodging, and supplies for each of these kids is $300, and we’re actively looking for individuals, groups, and businesses who are interested in becoming sponsors. (We can match you with other co-sponsors if you’d like to contribute but cannot offer the full $300.) If you’re interested in helping one of these kids make it to the top of Old Rag Mountain, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com!
Washington, D.C. Hikers
Kayla Belton
Kayla is 12-years-old and lives in the Wingate Projects in Southwest Washington. She just finished 6th grade, and loves to read. Her favorite song is “One Time” by Justin Bieber.
Sponsored by Bess Brodsky & Family, New York, NY.
Shayla Belton
Shayla is Kayla’s twin sister. She, too, will begin 7th grade in the fall, and is also active with the Girl Scouts. She misses Emmanuel Durant’s love and playfulness, and says that after conquering Mt. Washington last summer, she’s excited to take on Old Rag Mountain this August.
Sponsored by Bess Brodsky & Family, New York, NY.
Derricka Belton
Derricka, 17, lives in Southwest Washington and is about to start her senior year at Young American Works High School, where she’s near the top of her class.
To sponsor Derricka, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Dar’Asia Belton
Dar’Asia Belton is 8-years-old and lives in Southwest Washington. In the fall, she’ll be in 4th grade at Leckie Elementary. Her favorite songs are “Pop, Lock, and Drop It” by Huey and “Rock Your Hips” by Crime Mob.
To sponsor Dar’Asia, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Arkale Scroggins
Arkale is an adventure-loving 8-year-old from Northeast Washington. This fall, he’ll begin 3rd grade at Miner Elementary. His favorite song is “What Do You Want From Me” by Adam Lambert.
Sponsored by Tim McIlrath, Chicago, IL, and Zach Blair, Austin, TX.
Akil Sanford, Jr.
Akil Sanford, Jr. is 7 years-old and is Emmanuel Durant’s nephew. He’s also known as “Lil’ Smurf.”
To sponsor Akil, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Tekale Sanford
Tekale Sanford is 4 years-old and is another one of Emmanuel Durant’s nephews.
To sponsor Tekale, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Justin Sanford
Justin is 4-years-old and is Emmanuel Durant’s nephew. He loves to play football, and his favorite song is “Lemonade” by Gucci.
To sponsor Justin, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Qwan’ay Peete
Qwan’ay lives in Southeast Washington. She scaled Mt. Washington last summer and is thrilled to embark on a new adventure this summer.
Sponsored by Liam and Marti Murphy, Albuquerque, NM.
DeMarco Jackson
DeMarco lives in Northeast Washington, and is also known by his nickname, “D-Mo.”
Sponsored by Carly Koshman, Edmonton, Alberta.
Desiree Malveaux
Desiree lives in Southeast Washington.
To sponsor Desiree, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Roneeka Robinson
Roneeka lives in Northeast Washington.
To sponsor Roneeka, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Jamiyah Tripp
Jamiyah lives in Northeast Washington.
Sponsored by Aparna Mukherjee, New York, NY.
Ron Preston
Ron lives in Northeast Washington.
To sponsor Ron, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Jane Jackson
Jane Jackson lives in Northeast Washington.
To sponsor Jane, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Tar’Shier Evans
Tar’Shier is from Northeast Washington.
To sponsor Tar’Shier, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Michigan Hikers
We will be joined this summer by five high-school students from underpriveleged neighborhoods in Southeast Michigan (Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Detroit), who are part of the group Youth With A Purpose. These students will travel to Washington, D.C., explore the city, and then merge with our D.C. hikers to go camping in the Shenandoah Mountains. We are looking for individuals, groups, and businesses who are interested in becoming sponsors for these very deserving kids as well. If you’d like to help, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com.
Alenya Moore
Alenya Moore, 16, is a senior at Ypsilanti High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Alenya has a passion for traveling. After graduating high school, Alenya would like to go to college and become a traveling nurse.
Sponsored by Martha McGilliard, Singapore.
Jasmine Yates
Jasmine Yates, 18, just finished her senior year at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jasmine would like to become a school counselor and open a non-profit to help troubled teenage girls.
Sponsored by Harold and Barbara Rothbart, Ann Arbor, MI.
Avery Brann
Avery Brann, 16, is a junior at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Avery is a dedicated member of his church and was elected as a Junior Executive Board Member. After high school, Avery hopes go to college to become a doctor.
Sponsored by Anthony Thomas, Ann Arbor, MI.
Courtney Tubbs
Courtney Tubbs, 18, is a senior at Roberto Clemente High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She has a beautiful voice and is a very accomplished singer. Courtney hopes to attend college to study music.
To sponsor Courtney, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Bailey Brown
Bailey Brown, 18, is a senior at Roberto Clemente High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She is a gifted performer with an amazing voice. Bailey would like to become a school teacher and pursue a career in the music industry.
To sponsor Bailey, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Trip Leaders
Joining us as Trip Leaders on our Washington II Washington hike will be several members of Emmanuel Durant’s family, and a few of his close friends. These young men and women are not kids (they are mostly in their late teens and early 20s), but their participation is especially important, as they can continue the mission of Washington II Washington—introducing city kids to the Great Outdoors—year-round, and are involved in the lives of our younger hikers on a daily basis. Please consider becoming a sponsor or co-sponsor of one of these trip leaders so that they can accompany us to the Shenandoah Mountains! If you’d like to help, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com.
Denice Durant
Denice is Emmanuel Durant’s older sister. She likes reading Harry Potter and Sister Souljah books, and can usually be found chasing after her son, Justin, or attending community college. She turns 24 in late August, 2011.
Sponsored by Noam Dromi, Los Angeles, CA.
Akil “Smurf” Sanford
Smurf is Emmanuel Durant’s older brother. He likes working on cars, playing basketball, and spending time with his sons, Akil, Jr., and Tekale, and his daughter, Akire, who was born in July, 2010. He is 27-years-old.
To sponsor Smurf, please email us atWashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Carmen Payne
Carmen, from Northwest Washington, was engaged to Emmanuel Durant. She’s 19 and a sophomore at Virginia State University, where she’s studying to become an elementary school teacher. One of her heroes is her glamorous godmother Willie Mae. Carmen’s motto is, “Live each day as if it’s your last day on Earth,” and her favorite song is “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” by Alicia Keys.
To sponsor Carmen, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Brandon Law
Brandon graduated from Roosevelt High School in June of 2009, where he excelled on the track team and in the classroom. He was a longtime friend of Emmanuel Durant; the two grew up a block apart in Northeast Washington. Brandon’s favorite TV shows are The Wire and Weeds and his favorite movie is Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, directed by Michel Gondry.
To sponsor Brandon, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Jamail “Woo” Belton
Woo is 25-years-old and has a constant spark of mischief. She loves spending time with her sisters and her daughter, Dar’Asia, and says she misses Emmanuel’s “rudeness.” Photos of Emmanuel share her bedroom wall with many, many posters of Lil’ Wayne.
To sponsor Woo, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
Funmi “Anna” Laurence
Anna is 26-years-old, a graduate of High Point High School and Sanz College in Washington, D.C. She loves biking, bowling, graffiti art, and crossword puzzles. She spent four years in the U.S. Army.
Sponsored by Dan Zatkovich, Stockbridge, MI, Ed Faktorovich, Los Angeles, CA, and Ernie Hershey, New York, NY.
Dori Campbell
Dori is 22-years-old and lives in Northeast Washington; her motto is, “There’s always tomorrow.” She remembers Emmanuel for the way he would make her laugh. Last year’s trip was Dori’s first time going camping and hiking, and she can’t wait to go again this summer.
Sponsored by Brook Hayes, Bellingham, WA.
Reggie Sheffield
Reggie lives in Northeast Washington and loves to dance. Wounded last winter in a drive-by shooting, Reggie now believes it’s important to always let your friends, family, and loved ones know how much you care for them. He’s most excited about the swimming portion of this year’s trip.
To sponsor Reggie, please email us at WashingtonToWashington@Gmail.com
