Alumni Profiles
Donald McCleary ’79
Donald McCleary ’79 is a man who gives back. And he credits much of who he is today to his experiences— and “the beautiful people” he met— at Crossroads.
Donald McCleary ’79 is a man who gives back. And he credits much of who he is today to his experiences— and “the beautiful people” he met— at Crossroads. Donald notes that the perspectives to which the School exposed him have shaped him throughout his life.
After attending St. Augustine by-the-Sea through sixth grade, Donald began his Crossroads journey in the seventh grade in 1973. Although he remembers being “scared to death” at first, he now considers his experience at Crossroads “the best time of my life!” A lover of sports, particularly basketball, Donald fondly recalls his classmates as “very accepting and welcoming and, most of all, fun.”
When asked about any humorous anecdotes from his days at Crossroads, Donald is quick to reply, “The funniest stories came from my brother, Kevin ‘K.K.’ Jackson ’82.” He adds, “The most fun was playing basketball and trying to keep up with the other students—that was a task within itself.”
Donald is grateful for his Crossroads experience: “At the schools in the area I was from, drugs, fighting and violence were the norm. So the attention to the success of the students [at Crossroads], no matter what direction they chose, was completely cool!” Donald also appreciated his teachers, Steve Morgan, Teri (Darrow) Redman, John Nordquist, Art Tuller, Rich Makoff and Paul and Mary Ann Cummins, to name a few. “The genuine care from the teachers and coaches was great. It was school, but it was so much more.”
Donald works for the nonprofit organization Anti-Recidivism Coalition as a pre-apprentice life coach. He previously worked for Behavioral Systems Southwest, providing assistance to individuals returning home from prison. He is the proud father of a 10-year-old son, AJ, and an adult daughter, Kashawnda (pictured with him).
“I am proud to say to anyone who asks that I am a graduate of Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, Class of 1979!” exclaims Donald. “The memories I have will be with me till the day I die and always cherished. Thank you!”
Back
After attending St. Augustine by-the-Sea through sixth grade, Donald began his Crossroads journey in the seventh grade in 1973. Although he remembers being “scared to death” at first, he now considers his experience at Crossroads “the best time of my life!” A lover of sports, particularly basketball, Donald fondly recalls his classmates as “very accepting and welcoming and, most of all, fun.”
When asked about any humorous anecdotes from his days at Crossroads, Donald is quick to reply, “The funniest stories came from my brother, Kevin ‘K.K.’ Jackson ’82.” He adds, “The most fun was playing basketball and trying to keep up with the other students—that was a task within itself.”
Donald is grateful for his Crossroads experience: “At the schools in the area I was from, drugs, fighting and violence were the norm. So the attention to the success of the students [at Crossroads], no matter what direction they chose, was completely cool!” Donald also appreciated his teachers, Steve Morgan, Teri (Darrow) Redman, John Nordquist, Art Tuller, Rich Makoff and Paul and Mary Ann Cummins, to name a few. “The genuine care from the teachers and coaches was great. It was school, but it was so much more.”
Donald works for the nonprofit organization Anti-Recidivism Coalition as a pre-apprentice life coach. He previously worked for Behavioral Systems Southwest, providing assistance to individuals returning home from prison. He is the proud father of a 10-year-old son, AJ, and an adult daughter, Kashawnda (pictured with him).
“I am proud to say to anyone who asks that I am a graduate of Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, Class of 1979!” exclaims Donald. “The memories I have will be with me till the day I die and always cherished. Thank you!”
