Catching Up With Forman Scholar Destiny Le’Flore!
After only three years of study, Forman Scholar Destiny Le’Flore graduated from St. Joseph’s University this spring with a degree in sports marketing. As for what’s next, she’s keeping her options open and applying to some graduate programs as a way of furthering her education. We recently caught up with Destiny to learn more about her college experience and her plans for the future.
What was life on St. Joe’s campus like?
I really enjoyed going to college in Philadelphia and experiencing life on a city campus. I tried to get involved as much as I could, including with organizations like the Black Student Union and the African-Caribbean Association. Also, I participated in Ready to Launch, which is a program St. Joe’s offers that helps with preparing for, planning and navigating life after college.
What’s the biggest difference between high school and college?
You have so much more free time in college – but that sometimes makes it a lot easier to forget about or overlook certain responsibilities. It was quite an adjustment having to motivate myself to stay disciplined and keep up with my work and assignments. Also, living on your own means you have to budget everything – from your time outside of class to your finances. Oftentimes, it takes more time to study or complete an assignment than you might think.
How did the Forman Acton Foundation support you throughout your college journey?
For one thing, the Foundation decreased the amount of money I needed to pay out of pocket to attend school. But in addition, the staff also presented a really impactful financial literacy program. I found the information they shared to be extremely important, especially as I look to the future and what I want to achieve in life.
Looking back, what’s the most memorable moment from your time at St. Joe’s?
I enjoyed the various hands-on projects I completed in class. One time, I worked on a brand activation project for a WNBA player. The ideas and recommendations I shared were then presented to Adidas as a potential campaign for the company.
Why are organizations such as the Forman Acton Foundation so important?
They give kids like me – who come from a single-parent household and whose parents wouldn’t be able to afford college – a chance. We have the opportunity to explore the world outside of Salem and receive an education that will benefit both ourselves and our larger community. Even during those times when I struggled, when I wasn’t totally motivated to do the work I needed to do, I put my head down and tried the best I could because I knew I needed to make the best of this gift I was given.