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When Da’Mauriel Davis graduated from LaFayette High School, he knew exactly how to describe his time at his alma mater:

“In a word, I would definitely say interesting,” he said.

Elaborating, the recent graduate said that the school has a close-knit, family-like community that the teachers and students have developed. 

Davis was recently recognized for his position in the top three ranking at the school his senior year. Born and raised in LaFayette, he is excited to represent the town as he gets ready to attend Tuskegee University for occupational therapy.

“Hopefully, God willing, I’ll be able to come back to my community and spread knowledge to those who are willing to listen,” Davis said. 

Davis has learned to be a leader during his four years on the LaFayette Mighty Bulldogs Marching Band. His instrument of choice is the snare drum, but he can read in both treble and bass clip, and he also played sousaphone last year.

In addition to learning the instrument itself, he also gained a larger sense of family and belonging.

“Joining in the marching band helped build me, not only as a musician, but as a young man, because of the characteristics that you have to learn whilst in marching band,” Davis said. “A lot of people overlook that, but I say that if someone is interested in something but doesn’t know what to do, I suggest marching band.”

Earlier this year, the marching band were in a parade honoring the veterans in the community for Veterans Day. They have also performed at many LaFayette Main Street events, such as the Food Truck Festival.

Davis has also been on the track and field team while at LaFayette High. One thing he wished he could have done while there is join a debate team. 

“Because personally, I love to push out my opinions as well,” Davis said. 

Davis was also a part of the Thurgood Marshall College experience. It’s a program where juniors becoming seniors get to stay on campus for a week at a HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). They get to study many important topics like financial literacy, writing etiquette and more. 

“And I would encourage all juniors becoming seniors to sign up for that, because it’s held just about every year at multiple HBC colleges across the United States,” Davis said. 

Over the years, Davis has worked hard to maintain his academic standing. One of the way he succeeded was by not being afraid to ask questions when he needed help.

“Academically, I’ve always been the one that asked questions if I didn’t understand something, and my teachers never, never considered that a bother,” Davis said. “… I’m just grateful that all of my teachers had that mindset and were able to help me comprehend to a point where I could do it on my own if I ever needed to.”

The biggest challenge for Davis was adjusting to the change from eighth to ninth grade. He had to learn a new schedule and develop his time management skills. 

“I had to kind of broaden my perspective. And instead of thinking of things like a linear path, I had to kind of push my interest outwards,” Davis said. 

As he gets ready to head off for college life, Davis said he looks forward to spreading his wings while also bringing back that knowledge for future generations.

“I want to spread my wings while preparing those behind me to spread theirs. I want to get them prepared faster than I was able to,” Davis said. “Because a lot of the information that I have became aware of, I wasn’t aware of at the time that I actually needed it.”