From Hawk to Eagle: Music alumna spreads her wings
Thanks to the State of Michigan's Future for Frontliners scholarship, Shardai [Shar-DAY] Duckett was able to resume her education and graduate from HFC.
“The pandemic made me realize that I didn’t want to waste my life at a dead-end job that I didn’t like. This was a great opportunity, and I didn’t want to waste it,” said Duckett, a lifelong Detroiter and alumna of the Advanced Technology Academy in Dearborn.
Future for Frontliners was a state scholarship program for Michigan citizens without college degrees who worked in essential services jobs during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. This scholarship provided frontline workers with tuition-free access to a community college to pursue an associate degree or a skills certificate.
“That was the moment I decided to give school another shot,” said Duckett. “My grades weren’t the greatest in high school. HFC was nearby, and I was comfortable with the atmosphere. The first time I enrolled, I was going to be an engineer because HFC has a great pre-engineering program, but I got sick and wasn’t doing well in my classes. I fell behind and couldn't catch up. At that time, I didn’t have the motivation to continue. I walked away and thought I never wanted to come back.”
Sparking the first-generation dream
Duckett learned that life circumstances can change your mind.
“When I returned to HFC [using the state scholarship], I still didn’t have a solid goal,” said Duckett. “I wanted to finish college.”
She soon developed a goal that brought together her talent and drive. She earned her associate degree in music from HFC, graduating magna cum laude in 2024 with a GPA of 3.78. She vowed to retake the classes she failed her first time around at HFC and “passed them with flying colors!” The middle of three children, she set a standard as a first-generation, non-traditional college graduate.
She plans to transfer to Eastern Michigan University and major in music. She auditioned for the EMU School of Music & Dance, where she performed “Sure on This Shining Night” by Samuel Barber and “Selve Amiche” by Alessandro Parisotti and Antonio Caldara.
“It went well. I hit all the right notes,” said Duckett. “The faculty and staff at the audition were very nice. They told me they’ll see me in the fall!”
From engineering to music
When she returned to HFC, Duckett realized music has always been her passion. She decided to take a tour of the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Building F on the main campus), where she met now-retired HFC music instructor G. Kevin Dewey.
“Kevin allowed me to sit in and watch Blue Fusion practice. I auditioned and he saw my potential, but it was too late for me to sign up for the choruses that semester. He made me promise him that I would register for both the HFC Chorus and Blue Fusion the next semester. I kept my promise,” explained Duckett.
Dewey is proud of Duckett’s accomplishments.
“Shardai Duckett, talented vocalist and actor, is full of youthful energy, and attacks everything she does with an infectious enthusiasm!” he said.
HFC psychology instructor Alison Buchanan echoed Dewey’s sentiments.
“If there was ever a true HFC student, she is it! She loves this College, and she has dedicated a lot of her time to be an amazing student,” said Buchanan. “She’s a breath of fresh air. She always has a smile on her face, she is engaging, and she pays attention in class. I’m very excited that she is going to EMU to pursue her dreams!”
“Performance brings me out of my comfort zone”
Duckett took up piano again under the tutelage of Gina D’Alessio. She also took voice lessons, which extended the range of her voice. HFC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Nealon taught a class about music history, one of Duckett’s favorites.
“I was so excited about taking Dr. Nealon’s class,” she recalled. “No matter how early it was, I made sure I got there on time. That was such a great class.”
Duckett was very involved in groups like the HFC Chorus, Vanguard Voices, Blue Fusion, the Music Club, the Evergreen Theatrical Society, SAGA, and the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group. She also played Olaf the snowman in the Dearborn Community Chorus stage version of Disney's Frozen.
“Performance always brings me out of my comfort zone,” said Duckett. “I’m usually reserved and chill, but being active on the stage is the complete opposite. I love performing because it just brings out the fun. You always keep the people watching with some random dance moves and a smile!”
Duckett is still firming up her career plans, but she knows she will be ready because of her education at HFC.
“I wouldn’t be able to have a professional career without my experience at HFC,” she said. “I’m nervous because this place is my home away from home, especially the Fine Arts Center, and I am sad about leaving it. If you don’t know what your niche is, come to HFC, and I guarantee you’ll find it! I know I did!”