The first employees of Threads began making bracelets to raise scholarship funds for high school students when the business launched in late June. (Photo courtesy of Ashley LeMieux)The Shine Scholarship Project is getting brighter as the year progresses.
Ashley LeMieux, who graduated from ASU in 2011 with a degree in English, raised $10,000 last year that she gave out in scholarship money to 2012 high school graduates.
She saw potential in students she had met at Cesar Chavez High School, where she interned during her senior year of college, but knew they needed mentorship.
LeMieux started by earning money on her personal blog and then recruited readers and local businesses to help her raise funds for the scholarships.
LeMieux opened her bracelet-making business, Threads, in late June to create jobs for the students and continue to raise money for scholarships this year.
The eight Shine Scholarship recipients graduated from Cesar Chavez last year and have now started their freshman year of college.
LeMieux said profits have been rising, and she hopes to raise $20,000 in scholarship money this year.
“We’re selling more now than ever, getting into boutiques across the country,” LeMieux said.
She hired five new workers since the summer.
“The more we sell, the more kids we’ll hire,” she said.
Threads will release its new fall line of bracelets Monday.
Biology freshman Vanessa Borunda received a $700 scholarship and is working with LeMieux to provide more scholarships this year.
Borunda said she is excited about the new fall bracelets.
“I’m going to be sporting some myself,” she said.
Borunda said she keeps seeing growth at the Shine project.
“It’s really great to see that students from schools other than Cesar Chavez are hearing about the project now, too,” she said.
Borunda said she is having a great experience so far at ASU.
She enjoys meeting new people and is trying to manage her classes and get into a routine.
Borunda said she is already taking advantage of the tutoring opportunities available to her.
“I’m really confident, I think it’s going to be a great year,” she said.
Borunda said being friends with her co-workers at Threads helps keep her positive energy flowing.
“They are succeeding,” she said. “I am succeeding, I want to surround myself with positive people who have the same goals.”
Grand Canyon University sports business freshman Luis Perez received $2,000 in scholarship money and is still a Threads employee.
Perez is grasping the concept of college life, and said what LeMieux is doing is amazing.
“We are all motivated to go to school because of her pushing us,” he said.
Reach the reporter at hblawren@asu.edu
