Teaching Children is Graduate’s Dream

It started with a promise to work hard, study chemistry and eventually create a beauty cream for his aunt. Now it could all become reality for Kevin Dukes, a distinguished 2011 graduate of .

“When Kevin was younger, he was always interested in science,” said Dukes’ mother, Nikki Dukes, 39. “Now he sees himself as a mentor. He wants to teach and help make studying easier for others.”

With graduation out the of way, Kevin Dukes is preparing for his collegiate future at Michigan State University, where he will study chemical engineering with a focus on education.

“I’m not sure what attracts me to want to be an engineer,” said Dukes. “I’m fascinated by different fuels and applications for chemical compounds to make the world a better place. I like the medical aspect of chemistry, as well — how it works to find cures for diseases.”

Truth is, school wasn’t always easy for Dukes, 18, who lives in Southfield. After a difficult first two years at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Dukes joined University High School and pledged to himself that he’d work hard and make his remaining high school years as successful as possible. He soared as a member of Student Leadership.

“I really enjoyed being involved,” said Dukes. “We all met in Pontiac to work on leadership skills, and then we brought back key ideas to our high school. We put up banners highlighting leadership qualities for all students to see and learn from. And then I was able to really transfer some of what I learned to freshmen. I had the knowledge, and Student Leadership gave me the medium to pass ideas along to younger kids.”

Working with his younger brother Travis, 12, Dukes realized he had a love for teaching and mentoring.

“I realized that younger kids don’t understand concepts at the same level of comprehension as I do, so it’s a challenge to get to their level and see things as they see them,” said Dukes. “But with my brother, he catches things so quickly. It’s nice to see that he is ahead of where I was at his age.”

As a middle school student, Dukes was involved with the Motor City United Nations, a chapter of the national Model UN program that offers students real-world experience in politics and diplomacy, with which he traveled to the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

“It was amazing to see how the UN came together and how it was started,” said Dukes. “We got to see the big, beautiful UN building, and each room had its own design, which symbolized a goal of the UN. For example, in one room, the ceiling was not finished, which represented an incomplete, nonunified world.”

While at University High, Dukes was selected to attend to the Oakland Schools Global Trade Mission, where he was paired with students from other schools to meet with representatives from engineering and automotive companies. He won two awards, including an individual Crystal Award because he stood out to the judges, he said.

Dukes also ran cross-country at University High School, competing in the 5-kilometer event with his best time reaching 18:30.

“I really enjoyed cross-country," he said. "It was great to be able to compete with friends.”

Academically, Dukes followed a college prep schedule, studying physics and pre-calculus. His favorite class was English because of his teacher’s impact, he said.

“Mr. Buford made us aware that throughout high school, if you don’t get certain grades and you don’t do well, you can’t achieve what you want to achieve,” said Dukes. “He took the illusion away so we could see reality. That made me work harder and really understand that I couldn’t putz around and still be the best student of all time. It takes work. A lot of work, actually.”

When Dukes focused, he succeeded, according to Andre Buford, English and college prep teacher at University High School.

“When he really had to do it, he could put on his thinking cap and get his work done. He was an excellent student,” Buford said.

“Kevin was a joy to have in class. He was one of those students that made coming to school to teach easier. He would always have something to say that would make you laugh and make the other students laugh. He’s really an easy-going guy.”

Dukes plans to spend the summer at home with his parents, Nikki Dukes and Walter Dukes, 44, and his brother Travis.