BEAUTY OF EXCELLENCE — Cashara Essence Quinn, Tamika’s Quinn’s middle child have endured her share of challenges and, like her beloved mother, she was determined to defy the odds and demonstrate the life-enhancing qualities and lessons by which she has been taught. Come June 16, before a host of family members and well-wishers, Cashara will be afforded the opportunity to relish in her solid body of work, both through academic excellence and by way of her notable community contributions when she graduates from Chesapeake, Virginia’s Grassfield High School at Norfolk’s Ted Constance Convocation Center.
At 12 o’clock sharp on June 7, Tamika Quinn took to her Facebook page and assembled a post that, by all accounts, recalls the past events that essentially altered the overall landscape of her life.
Quinn’s post read: At 27 years old, a headache changed my life. Two strokes left half of my body paralyzed and cognitive brain deficits that I still deal with. At 36, I lost my husband of 14 years to thyroid cancer. I sunk into a brief depression and gained close to 100 lbs after his death. But God!!! My 3 children were depending on me to be their hero and I did just that…became their Hero!”
For Quinn, a Tidewater, Virginia-area businesswoman, despite the slew of obstacles that arose in her life to challenge her faith, she still managed to find the strength to describe such a journey as “nothing short of amazing.”
MOM’S PERSONAL SUPER BOWL — Come June 16, before a host of family members and well-wishers, Cashara will be afforded the opportunity to relish in her solid body of work, both through academic excellence and by way of her notable community contributions when she graduates from Chesapeake, Virginia’s Grassfield High School at Norfolk’s Ted Constance Convocation Center.
Amongst the reasons for Quinn’s newfound disposition on life: Cashara Essence Quinn.
Cashara, Quinn’s middle child, has endured her share of challenges and, like her beloved mother, she was determined to defy the odds and demonstrate those life-enhancing qualities and lessons by which she has been taught.
Come June 16, before a host of family members and well-wishers, Cashara will be afforded the opportunity to relish in her solid body of work, both through academic excellence and by way of her notable community contributions when she graduates from Chesapeake, Virginia’s Grassfield High School at Norfolk’s Ted Constance Convocation Center.
COMEBACK FOR THE AGES — For Cashara, graduation night undoubtedly figures to give way to an array of emotions because, like her mother, she’s managed to persevere in ways unimaginable. For years, particularly years before she had become a teenager, Cashara had constant battles with her weight and, at times, was victimized by bullying. So much, in fact, that her mother deemed it a foregone conclusion that it was time she took a stance and executive the necessary things to bring about a change in the life of her daughter, whose self-esteem had taken a massive hit.
For Cashara, graduation night undoubtedly figures to give way to an array of emotions because, like her mother, she’s managed to persevere in ways unimaginable.
For years, particularly long before she had become a teenager, Cashara had constant battles with her weight and, at times, was victimized by bullying.
So much, in fact, that her mother deemed it a foregone conclusion that it was time she took a stance and execute the necessary things to bring about a much-needed change in the life of her daughter, whose self-esteem had taken a massive hit.
“Things could have been so differently if I had not made a change,” Quinn told Making Headline News during a recent interview for its annual Salute To Graduates Tributes. “When she was in elementary school, she was bullied so many times over her weight. I was at the school several times as an advocate for my daughter. And the interesting thing is she was in a Christian school at the time.”
As Quinn recalled, there were times that Cashara would come home from school literally “upset” — harboring crushed spirits in the process.
Something, she said, had to give, and the big-hearted woman who once conquered two strokes and the untimely death of her husband had no choice but to be strong.
LOOK OUT, ATLANTA — An honor student who owns an impressive 3.6 cumulative grade point average, Cashara will be enrolling in the historic Spelman College this fall, where she plan to major in Biology.
Because being strong for little Cashara was her only choice, really.
“She was just upset, she was defeated,” Quinn said. “She was worn down.”
All things considered, Quinn, along with the rest of her immediate family, collectively joined forces and engaged some damage control, of sorts, on behalf of Cashara.
“We cut out beef, pork, and starting exercising and we went through a six-weeks program called, ‘Healthy You,’” Quinn explained. “I found out this was more of bonding than anything.”
Years removed from what was a disheartening time in her life, today, one would be hard-pressed to see that Cashara, at one point in time, witnessed her self-esteem be compromised.
An honor student who owns an impressive 3.6 cumulative grade point average, Cashara will be enrolling in the historic Spelman College this fall, where she plans to major in Biology.
Amongst her notable contributions to the community include being the Co-Founder of Pretty Girl 365 non-profit organization as well as being an ambassador her Purpose With Purpose, an organization founded by her mother.
JOB WELL DONE — Amongst her notable contributions to the community include: being the Co-Founder of Pretty Girl 365 non-profit organization as well as being an ambassador her Purpose With Purpose, an organization founded by her mother. In addition, she was actively involved in Grassfield’s Key Club and she is a fixture for Dolphin Duo, a mentorship-based program for local elementary students.
In addition, she was actively involved in Grassfield’s Key Club and she is a fixture for Dolphin Duo, a mentorship-based program for local elementary students.
That Cashara has managed to persevere and defy the greatest of odds practically sums up why Quinn figures to shed tears of joy when her daughter’s name is called to receive her diploma.
“I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for her,” Quinn said in paying homage to her Cashara.
TAMIKA QUINN’S OPEN LETTER TO HER DAUGHER, CASHARA ESSENCE QUINN
I want you to know that you have already, in 18 years, exceeded my expectations. You make me extremely proud to be your Mom. I watch the decisions that you make when I’m not looking and I’m confident that you’ll be just fine whether I’m guiding you are not. I see your giving heart and willingness to help others and I know that you’ll always lead with love because that’s within you. I see your work ethic working in our family business since you were thirteen and holding down a job while maintaining a 3.5 GPA in honors classes your senior year. You will achieve every goal you set out to accomplish because you’re willing to work hard for it. There are just a few things that I want you to know. I am not perfect. As hard as I know that has to be for you to grasp (Ha Ha Ha) just joking, but seriously I want you to know that I have made so many mistakes. I hold you to a high caliber of success because I wantthe best for you. Your father and I both wanted the best for you even before you were born, but I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if I hadn’t fallen flat on my face multiple times. Don’t ever be embarrassed or afraid of failing. I have learned more through my failures than I have through easy successes. Regardless of what life throws your way, I will always love you. I will love you no matter what. Secondly, everyone isn’t as honest or as nice as you. There will be people who mean you nothing but harm and for no apparent reason. There’s nothing you can do about them. You can only control yourself. You’ll need to always pray for discernment and wisdom. The biggest key is to listen to God when He speaks to your spirit (the first time). He will always guide you, if you let Him. Lastly never change who you are for anyone else. Regardless of the situation, you are a child of God. Always conduct yourself as such. You are a beautiful young lady. There is something inside of you so special that it shines through for the world to see. There is something inside of you so special that it shines through for the world to see. Don’t allow this world to dull your shine pretty girl. We’re expecting Big Things from you. You have everything inside of you to Win! I believe in you Cha!
Love, Mom
EDITOR’S NOTE:Whether your child has already graduated or not, if you would like to pay homage to his/her accomplishments with a unique Salute To Graduates Tribute will feature a story like the one above with multiple photos, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
“Things could have been so differently if I had not made a change,” Quinn told Making Headline News during a recent interview for its annual Salute To Graduates Tributes. “When she was in elementary school, she was bullied so many times over her weight. I was at the school several times as an advocate for my daughter. And the interesting thing is she was in a Christian school at the time.”
“We cut out beef, pork, and starting exercising and we went through a six-weeks program called, ‘Healthy You,’” Quinn explained. “I found out this was more of bonding than anything.”
I want you to know that you have already, in 18 years, exceeded my expectations. You make me extremely proud to be your Mom. I watch the decisions that you make when I’m not looking and I’m confident that you’ll be just fine whether I’m guiding you are not. I see your giving heart and willingness to help others and I know that you’ll always lead with love because that’s within you. I see your work ethic working in our family business since you were thirteen and holding down a job while maintaining a 3.5 GPA in honors classes your senior year. You will achieve every goal you set out to accomplish because you’re willing to work hard for it. There are just a few things that I want you to know. I am not perfect. As hard as I know that has to be for you to grasp (Ha Ha Ha) just joking, but seriously I want you to know that I have made so many mistakes. I hold you to a high caliber of success because I wantthe best for you. Your father and I both wanted the best for you even before you were born, but I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if I hadn’t fallen flat on my face multiple times. Don’t ever be embarrassed or afraid of failing. I have learned more through my failures than I have through easy successes. Regardless of what life throws your way, I will always love you. I will love you no matter what. Secondly, everyone isn’t as honest or as nice as you. There will be people who mean you nothing but harm and for no apparent reason. There’s nothing you can do about them. You can only control yourself. You’ll need to always pray for discernment and wisdom. The biggest key is to listen to God when He speaks to your spirit (the first time). He will always guide you, if you let Him. Lastly never change who you are for anyone else. Regardless of the situation, you are a child of God. Always conduct yourself as such. You are a beautiful young lady. There is something inside of you so special that it shines through for the world to see. There is something inside of you so special that it shines through for the world to see. Don’t allow this world to dull your shine pretty girl. We’re expecting Big Things from you. You have everything inside of you to Win! I believe in you Cha!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Whether your child has already graduated or not, if you would like to pay homage to his/her accomplishments with a unique Salute To Graduates Tribute will feature a story like the one above with multiple photos, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
