About Edward Shenault

My name is Edward Shenault and I am the 2019-2020 Blue Heart President. I am 17 years old and attend High Tech High San Diego.

I was raised by a “village” so academics were never a big problem for me because I had so many people in my corner making sure that I was on top of my work. My grandfather was a Pastor before he passed. He was a huge part of my life, taking me to school for many years. He always asked me how I was doing in school and would say, “Don’t fool me now” when I responded. I knew this meant that he was expecting me to always do well, and I’ve worked hard to not disappoint him. So, when he passed, I told myself that I was not going to let him down.

I made sure I did the best I could to make him proud. While being raised in church I was around many different positive role models. Being around these prestigious men and women I have had a lot of time to take in wisdom that has been given to me throughout my entire life and add my own touch to it to fit my life. With the advice that was and is still being passed to me, by my grandmother, mother, father and others, I have been able to navigate my way through school and tough times. Aside from being raised in church, I was also very engaged in sports. For seven years I played football where I learned the basics of teamwork, becoming a leader and working in a community.

I joined Blue Heart about a year and a half ago. I did not join because my grades were low, I joined because I wanted to be a part of a brotherhood. I wanted to learn how to become a better leader and learn how to be a better young man for my community. Even still, I did not really understand the purpose of the organization, so I did not value my time in it. Initially, I was not very open to stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things.

After attending the monthly workshops and community service events, I have been able to slowly step out of my shell towards being the kind of leader that will bring my brothers together and create unity. The turning point for me was when I became President. When I became President, I realized that I had a bigger responsibility ahead of me than just showing up; it allowed me the opportunity to understand the history and purpose of Blue Heart.

“My favorite experience has been the step practices because I have been able to see how my brothers’ bonds feed off of each other’s energy and break out of my shell and bond with them.”

Blue Heart has basically opened my eyes to the real world. Blue Heart has taught me that as young black men growing up in this country, we have to carry ourselves properly because our every move is being watched in everything we do everywhere. Blue Heart has also taught me how to step up and take lead when no one else will and how to be a better man overall. My favorite experience has been the step practices because I have been able to see how my brothers’ bonds feed off of each other’s energy and break out of my shell and bond with them.

I have grown a lot since I first joined Blue Heart. I want to thank Tracy for choosing me to be President. At first, I was unsure why he chose me because I had only been in the program for a few months, and I did not know if I was ready. However, he reassured me and with his guidance, and past president Amir Duke I was able to catch my groove and find my own way to lead my brothers. I am honored to be a member of Blue Heart and look forward to taking the tools that I have learned into the next phase of my educational journey.