Future Leader Spotlight: Dequan Trott

August 24, 2019

This article is part 4 of an 8-part series featuring the experience of Bermuda’s Future Leaders at the Global Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Summer Program.

Dequan Trott:

”In such a fast-growing world, kids must try to depend on creativity to survive, to stay pure and innovative.”

Dequan Trott Bermuda August 23 2019 1

Student Profile:

Dequan: My name is Dequan Trott, I am 15 years old and I attend Cedarbridge Academy. I attended the Global Youth Leadership program at Brandon Hall through Future Leaders Bermuda. With anticipation, I decided, to create a non-profit organization that targets the less fortunate population of youth in Bermuda; giving them the opportunity to experience the arts, specifically theater. I picked this project based off my passion for the arts, I want children to have a place to learn how to advocate their voice but also to improve their leadership as the youth. While at Brandon Hall I listened to many speakers who all had their different opinions on how leadership should be valued and practiced. I personally used those opinions to build my awareness of leadership in such fast-growing world; especially as a teen. Overall, this program was a wonderful opportunity. With the ambition I’ve learned from the many speakers I may decide to move on with my project through the theater company I am already a part of; Noire Youth Theater Company. I will prove the purpose of the arts and the skills that it is able to provide, with my future endeavours being in musical theater or film acting.

Dequan Trott Bermuda August 23 2019 2

Interviewer: Why did you choose your particular project?

Dequan: While at Brandon Hall I decided, through the program, to create a non-profit organization that targets the less fortunate population of youth in Bermuda; giving them the opportunity to experience the arts, specifically theater. I picked this project based off my passion for the arts, I want children to have a place to learn how to advocate their voice but also to improve their leadership as the youth. While at Brandon Hall I listened to many speakers who all had their different opinions on how leadership should be valued and practiced. I personally used those opinions to build my awareness of leadership in such fast-growing world; especially as a teen.

Dequan Trott Bermuda August 23 2019 3

Interviewer: Do you plan to implement your idea? If so, what are some possible challenges to implementation?

Dequan: In Bermuda there are not many initiatives open to the youth for free, though stereotypes and misconceptions of what the arts provides will challenge my project, I will prove the purpose of the arts and the skills that it is able to provide.

Interviewer: What was your overall experience at Brandon Hall School?

Dequan: Overall, this program was a wonderful opportunity. With the ambition I’ve learned from the many speakers I may decide to move on with my project through the theater company I am already a part of; Noire Youth Theater Company.

Dequan Trott Bermuda August 23 2019 4

Summary of Presentation:

Albert Einstein once stated that,” Imagination is more important than knowledge”. Good Day Everyone, my name is Dequan Trott and I am the founder and creator of Kids Who Act. In Bermuda there are not many initiatives that are open to the youth for free in the arts arena. There is a certain stereotype that the arts are a waste of time, majority of the teachers in my school think that they are just another encore subject that provides nothing that prepares you for life; but truthfully their wrong. A survey was taken by a global movement to recognize the making of positive change amongst young people stating that children who study in the arts are 4 times more likely to achieve academic achievements and school attendance. The arts have proven to improve many skills in kids including, listening, negotiating and communicating, creativity and increase in self-esteem and cultural awareness. To prove this great success, I invented Kids Who Act, a non-profit organization that targets the less fortunate population of youth in Bermuda who do not get the opportunity to experience the arts specifically theater. This program will be based on a curriculum that would teach them all roles played in a theater from a technician, to a director, producer and even a stage manager and will give them the opportunity to learn the responsibilities of a leader. With the support of local sponsors, I will not only provide a great learning experience but provide breakfast and lunch; making sure they deserve to eat healthy and feel healthy. I want to empower the youth and not blame them. To inspire them and let them express their feelings on a different stage. Helping them to act as leaders but also to act out as motivated kids.

The full Kids Who Act follows below [PDF here]:

Read More About

Category: All, News

.