Compassion for Those Who may be Suffering
431 Exchange Scholars Seek Degrees in Art, Diagnostic Imaging and Psychology to Strengthen Communities
Scholarship Winners: Payton Lunsford, Ciera Coleman, Cecilia Zepeda
Payton Lunsford
Lifting Others Up through Creativity
Payton Lunsford is a creative spirit who finds an inspiring community among those who enjoy being creative. Creativity reinforces “the good I see in the world. It reminds me that the world isn’t in distress all the time,” she described.
“Whenever I am down, I find that seeing other people being creative or enjoying the company of their community rejuvenates me,” said Payton, a 2023 graduate of DeRidder High School. An impressive and talented student who shows great sensitivity and maturity, Payton has a 4.0 GPA as she pursues a visual arts degree at McNeese State University in Lake Charles.
What inspires Payton most about The 431 Exchange is the way it is continuing the legacy of the Adult Education Center and honoring the resilience of all who were involved with the school, which operated during a difficult time in American history, in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“The amount of risk and effort that went into normalizing and obtaining the right for Black women to have an education and higher salaries is balling to think about,” she said. “It’s great that this nonprofit still aims to support people’s education after all these years.”
Ciera Coleman
Making a Difference in Underserved Communities
Ciera Coleman is eager to make a difference and set an example for people who may be struggling. She is studying diagnostic sonography at Delgado Community College and hopes to have an impact on underserved communities “where access to quality diagnostic imaging can truly be the difference between life and death.”
A 2011 graduate of Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School in New Orleans, Ciera studied to become a medical assistant at Eastern College of Health Vocational School and works as a medical assistant part time. She is determined to succeed not only for herself and her community but also for others “who may not yet believe they can achieve more.”
“I know what it’s like to feel unseen or unheard,” shared Ciera, a poised and determined student. “Whether it’s through my career, volunteer work or simply by showing up and being an example, I want to be a source of light for someone else’s dark moment. If I can lift others up as I climb, then every struggle I have faced has been worth it.”
Ciera identifies with The 431 Exchange’s “commitment to creating opportunities, uplifting underserved communities, and truly changing lives,” and its dedication to long-term improvement and “walking beside people as they work toward a brighter future.”
Cecilia Zepeda
Building on Personal Triumphs to Empower Others
Going through therapy in high school helped Cecilia Zepeda discover her strength and ignited a fire in her – a desire to help others who have struggled as she struggled in childhood.
“Looking back at my childhood, I see a mixture of survival, strength and a glimmer of hope,” said Cecilia, a resilient and outgoing student who took on adult responsibilities, such has helping to raise her younger brother, while growing up. “My past has shown me how important compassion and perseverance are. I understand what it’s like to feel unheard and overlooked, and I want to be someone who listens and supports others.” Cecilia feels a strong calling to psychology and her dream is to become a counselor or therapist and help children and families who have endured difficult experiences. A 2023 graduate of John Ehret High School in Marrero, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Louisiana State University of Alexandria. “I want to be the person I needed when I was young – a source of hope and understanding.” She also wants to challenge “the stigma around therapy and let everyone know asking for help is completely okay.”
Cecilia relates to The 431 Exchange’s ability to “see strength in people’s stories and … help them keep going, even when life gets hard. I love that The 431 Exchange looks at the whole person – their resilience, their dreams and their determination to build a better future.”