Because of a semi-nomadic lifestyle induced by his father’s service in the US Marine Corps, Stefon Q. Burns’ family has become his sanctuary. He loves to laugh at the jokes of his facetious little brothers, smile at his beautiful sisters, and converse with his intelligent parents. Stefon was instilled with principles that have made him a respectful, honest, and diligent young man.
A well-rounded individual, Stefon has achieved excellence in many arenas. He ranked in the top 3% of his graduation class and was the only African American male member of his class to graduate summa cum laude. Several institutions have recognized his academic aptitude. He was named Social Studies Student of the Year in the tenth grade, and became a member of the National Honor Society in the eleventh grade. The Maryland Higher Education Commission awarded him the Distinguished Scholars-Honorable Mention. Maryland also awarded him the “Mind In Motion” award for 3 consecutive years for the coupling of his academic achievement and athletic participation. He was a three-year member of the championship indoor and outdoor track team as a shot putter, high jumper, and hurdler as well as a member of the football team. His assiduous athletic practice did not diminish his artistic capability.
Stefon was a saxophonist for Lackey’s Symphonic and Concert bands and director of the Gospel Choir. A closet-thespian, Stefon acted in the musical productions, which allowed him to become a member of the elite International Thespian Society. Stefon further exemplified his creativity and leadership when he co-founded and co-captained the Alpha Zure Squad to stellar finishes against tenured step teams during the first year of the team’s inception. The student government acknowledged Stefon’s leadership and dependability and appointed him Parliamentarian. His qualities were noted when he received the Kodak Young Leaders Award in 2001.
Stefon set the stones for his path to success as an international financial management executive. His business savvy afforded him the opportunity to study at the Graduate Business School of the University of Chicago during the LEAD Summer Business Institute. This also led to his acceptance into the INROADS Talent Pool and his designation as a McDonald’s Black History Maker of Tomorrow in Entrepreneurship.
While attempting to attain his goals, Stefon volunteered in fund-raising for the American Cancer Society as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As a means to help the underprivileged, Stefon was both a mentor and mediator.
