DREVAUGHN MCGUIRE, RICH8

When Drevaughn McGuire (Cohort RICH8) joined The Hidden Genius Project as a rising junior in high school, he didn’t yet know how much the experience would shape his growth, relationships, and future goals. Now studying business and playing football at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA, Drevaughn continues to build on all he learned throughout his journey. Since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion Program, he has returned as a Youth Educator, teaching students at Freedom Schools about technology, and imparting the importance of making a difference in their communities. For Drevaughn, the experience reinforced the mission of The Hidden Genius Project, and the understanding that the program’s impact extends well beyond graduation. In his words: “What you gain from The Hidden Genius Project can go beyond the program itself, so use what you learn to create opportunities for yourself and make a positive impact on your community.”

How have you been?
I have been keeping everything steady, and life has been going pretty well. With me playing football at Contra Costa College [in San Pablo, California], my family has been very supportive and has continued to guide me through the obstacles I have faced. Their support means a lot to me because balancing football, school, and everything else in life can be challenging. Transitioning from high school to college has also been a learning experience because I have more freedom and responsibility over my schedule. Even though I am now attending a junior college, the atmosphere and schoolwork do not feel too different from high school to me. The biggest difference is learning how to manage my time, stay disciplined, and take more responsibility for my future.

How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?
I first learned about The Hidden Genius Project through my mom during my sophomore year of high school, but at the time, I did not know much about the program or what it had to offer. Going into my junior year, one of my friends asked me if I was interested in joining and told me there was going to be a meeting on campus. I decided to give it a chance, and ever since then, I have really enjoyed being part of the program. Looking back, I am glad I took that opportunity because it introduced me to people, experiences, and opportunities that I probably would not have had otherwise. What started as me attending a meeting turned into something that became an important part of my high school experience and personal growth.

What was your experience in the program like?
My experience with The Hidden Genius Project was great, and the technology portion of the program was my favorite. I enjoyed visiting different companies, learning about technology, and getting the opportunity to create my own website that showed my personality and interests. As I went into my final summer with the program, I also had the opportunity to work on creating my own AI bot, which allowed me to explore technology in a different way. These experiences helped me understand that technology is not just something we use every day, but something we can create and use to solve problems. Another major highlight was being able to network with different people and build relationships with my fellow Geniuses and the staff. Joining The Hidden Genius Project gave me opportunities to grow, learn new things, and connect with people who I believe will remain important in my life even after the program.

Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve faced while in The Hidden Genius Project. How did you overcome them?
One challenge I faced while participating in The Hidden Genius Project was transportation. Since I was a student-athlete in high school, I had to figure out how to get from The Hidden Genius Project to football practice and manage both commitments without falling behind in either one. Sometimes, balancing the schedule was difficult because I wanted to make the most of the program while also staying committed to my team. I overcame this challenge by communicating with the staff members on-site and working with them to find ways to make getting to and from different places easier. This experience taught me the importance of communication, planning ahead, and asking for help when I need it. It also showed me that when I care about something, I have to be willing to put in the effort to make it work.

Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.
During my time in the Intensive Immersion Program, one of the projects I worked on was creating my own AI bot. This project gave me the opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence works and how technology can be used to create something useful. I had to think about the purpose of the project, how I wanted it to work, and how to bring my ideas together into something I could demonstrate. It was exciting to work on something of my own because it allowed me to use what I had learned throughout the program instead of just learning about technology from someone else. The project also helped me become more comfortable with experimenting, solving problems, and thinking creatively. Overall, it showed me that I could use technology to turn an idea into something real.

How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
I feel like The Hidden Genius Project is different because it is specifically geared toward you as an individual and the goals you want to accomplish. The staff members I worked with were focused on building real relationships with us as Geniuses and understanding who we were, what we needed, and how they could help us grow. Even during times when we did not know exactly what kind of support we needed, they were there to guide us and help us figure things out. The last time I had a mentor before The Hidden Genius Project was in middle school during COVID, and I honestly do not remember much about that relationship besides playing Fortnite with him. With The Hidden Genius Project, the relationships felt more meaningful because the staff supported us through different stages of our lives and helped us think about our futures. It felt like they cared about us as people, not just as students participating in a program.

What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you?
One of the most beneficial skills I gained from The Hidden Genius Project was learning how to communicate with different people and build relationships. Through meeting other Geniuses, interacting with staff, and visiting different companies, I became more comfortable connecting with people outside of my usual environment. I learned that networking is not just about knowing people but also about building genuine relationships and learning from the people around you. This skill will continue to help me in college, football, business, and whatever career path I decide to pursue.

Another important skill I gained was learning how to use technology creatively to develop my own ideas. Creating a website and working on an AI bot helped me understand that technology involves more than just using applications; it also involves figuring out how things work and finding ways to solve problems. These experiences encouraged me to think outside the box and become more confident in my ability to learn new technical skills. Since I plan to major in business, I believe understanding technology will also help me in the future because technology plays a major role in how businesses operate and grow.

What was the most important thing you gained on a personal level from participating in The Hidden Genius Project?
I feel like the most important thing I gained from The Hidden Genius Project was my relationships with my brothers in RICH8. We made great memories together, learned from each other, and eventually reached a point where we would hang out outside of [the program]. I appreciate those relationships because they became more than just friendships with people I saw during program hours. Even though we were different ages and came from different backgrounds, we never made each other feel less important because of our age or experience. We treated one another with respect and learned how to support each other. I could not thank The Hidden Genius Project enough for bringing us together because those relationships are something I will carry with me even after the program.

How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project?
I feel like the relationships and connections I have today would not be as strong if I had never participated in The Hidden Genius Project. Meeting people through the program introduced me to new environments and helped me build relationships with people I might not have met otherwise. It also gave me opportunities to learn about technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship while connecting with people who encouraged me to think about my future. I believe the program helped me become more comfortable meeting new people and understanding how important it is to maintain relationships. Without The Hidden Genius Project, I might not have had the same experiences or the same network of people supporting me as I move forward in college and my career. Overall, the program helped open doors for me and gave me experiences that I can continue to build on.

When you imagine yourself before starting The Hidden Genius Project, what’s different between that version of you and the current version?
When I think about myself before joining The Hidden Genius Project, I feel like I have grown a lot in the way I approach opportunities and relationships. Before joining, I did not fully understand everything a program like this could offer me, and I did not know how many connections and experiences I would gain from it. Now, I have had opportunities to learn about technology, visit companies, build projects, and connect with people who have helped me grow. I have also learned the importance of communicating, being open to new experiences, and building relationships that go beyond just knowing someone’s name. I feel like I have a better understanding of how the things I learn today can help me reach my goals in the future. I am still learning and growing, but I can recognize the impact the program has had on the person I am becoming.

In what ways have you remained involved with The Hidden Genius Project since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion Program?
Since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion Program, I have remained involved by working over the summer with elementary and middle school students through Freedom Schools. During that time, I helped teach students about technology, teamwork, and ways they could make a positive difference in their communities. Being part of that experience showed me that I could make an impact on younger students, just like the staff and other Geniuses had made an impact on me. It also gave me an opportunity to share some of what I learned and help students explore new ideas. I enjoyed being able to give back to the community and be someone the younger students could learn from. That experience helped me understand that the program’s impact does not end when you graduate; you can continue making a difference by passing what you have learned on to others.

In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project stayed connected / continued to support you since graduating from the program?
The staff has continued to reach out to me with forms and information that can help me access more opportunities and stay connected with the program. I appreciate that they continue to keep me informed even though I have completed the main Immersion Program. Their communication shows me that there are still ways to remain involved, continue learning, and grow through the Hidden Genius Project community. Being able to stay connected is important because the relationships I built during the program are something I value. I hope to continue taking advantage of opportunities that can help me develop professionally and personally while also finding ways to give back to the program.

If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
I would tell myself that The Hidden Genius Project is going to make a real impact on my life and that joining the program going into my junior year of high school is a great decision. At the time, I did not fully know what I was getting myself into, but I am glad I gave myself the chance to experience it. I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity, build relationships with the people around me, and stay open to learning new things. I would also remind myself that the program is not just about technology but about personal growth, leadership, and the people you meet along the way. If I had the opportunity to make the same decision again, I would choose to join The Hidden Genius Project all over again because of the impact it has had on my life.

What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
My advice to future Geniuses is to take the opportunity seriously and make the most of your time in the program. Do not be afraid to try something new, ask questions, make mistakes, or step outside of your comfort zone because that is how you learn and grow. Make sure you build relationships with the other Geniuses and the staff because those connections can become some of the most valuable parts of your experience. You should also remember that everyone comes into the program with different strengths, experiences, and goals, so do not compare your journey to someone else’s. Be willing to learn from the people around you and support them just as they support you. Most importantly, understand that what you gain from The Hidden Genius Project can go beyond the program itself, so use what you learn to create opportunities for yourself and make a positive impact on your community.