Bonnie DeSalle
Bali Service Learning Program

When Bonnie DeSalle graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 2002, few doubted that she would take the world by storm. But none could have anticipated that she would do it in record time. The human dynamo has gone on to do great things for not only herself but other people.

The Valedictorian of the Class of 2002, Bonnie went on to attend Loyola University New Orleans where she finished in April 2006 with a B.A. in Sociology, Concentration in Crime, Law and Social Control and a minor in Criminal Justice.

During the Hurricane Katrina semester, she attended Stanford University, where she continued to excel academically. While there, she became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was also involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Loyola University Sociology Student Organization, BSU and Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity.

Bonnie also was a Hubbard Fellow with the Philip G. Hubbard Law School Preparation Program through the University of Iowa College of Law and a Council on Legal Education Opportunity/Thurgood Marshall College Scholar.

Following her graduation from Loyola, she was one of eight individuals selected to be an Investigative Intern for Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC. However, she wanted to do more for youth and give more of herself while in Washington , DC so she became a youth counselor to juvenile offenders with the ASK Program. There she learned a lot from the youth participants, an experience she hope to take that with her as she continues to work for and with youth.

At the end of the program, Bonnie received the "Most Likely to Have a Huge Impact on the Lives of Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Award."

“This award means a lot to me especially because I hope to become a judge one day,” said Bonnie who hopes to be able to affect major change for youth one day. “As an amazing leader once said "be the change you wish to see in the world,” she adds.

In the fall of 2006 Bonnie returned to California and joined an Americorps program called Public Allies of Silicon Valley. While there, she worked for an amazing non profit in Mountain View, CA called Challenge Learning Center, serving as the Program Coordinator of an after school leadership program geared for middle school students. She recently returned to New Orleans at the end of March.

Presently, Bonnie is preparing for yet another amazing opportunity. Recently, she was one of eight individuals selected to go to Asia for the Bali Service Learning Program in Indonesia where she will live with a Balinese family, learn the language and history, help teach members of the community English and have the chance to work with a local organization.

“I have been truly blessed and I hope to take the things I have learned over the years, especially from SMA, with me as I embark on this new journey.”

She is currently trying to fundraise for her trip to Asia and can be contacted at bmdesall@loyno.edu.