Meet Dana Roberts
Meet Dana Roberts,
Alumnus and President of our First-ever Alumni Association
Aslan’s Voice caught up with Dana Roberts recently. Dana is an impressive child of God with a heart for serving the Lord and people, which all sparked at Dawn Treader, her safe space. Here’s what she had to say:
What was your experience like as a Dawn Treader student?
Looking back, I now see that my K-8th grade story at Dawn Treader was always part of God’s intricate design. Psalm 139:13 says, “For you created my inner being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” My life was never random. God’s hands were shaping every step, even when I didn’t understand. At the age of five, while most children in public housing attended public schools, I woke up every morning, put on my uniform, and took the journey to Dawn Treader Christian School (DTCS).
There, I met Ms. Young, who greeted me each morning with a warm smile and kind words. But Dawn Treader was more than just a school—it was a sanctuary. The teachers weren’t just educators; they were united in purpose, committed to teaching both academics and the Word of God. They modeled love, faith, and unwavering commitment to the body of Christ. Their influence went far beyond the classroom. They built a community—a family. Inside those walls, I was safe.I loved DTCS school so much that I would cry if I had to miss a day.
I would lay under my covers at night, reading by flashlight, eager to return to that sacred space. As the years passed, my life outside of school continued, and in the eighth grade, a friend invited me to try out for the city’s recreation basketball league. I made the team that night. Every day after, I wore shorts under my skirt so I could practice layups during recess. That one invitation led to junior varsity, then varsity and finally a Division 1 scholarship. I believe my entire life story begins at DTCS and look how God's plan brought me back to my beginning!
Where did you attend college?
I attended Savannah State University in Savannah Georgia, this is where that one invitation from my Dawn Treader friend led me. I was the captain of my team and later Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, I believe that it was my destiny to attend Savannah State. I lived in Savannah for eight years in total and it was there, I would later have my daughter.
How did Dawn Treader prepare you for success as a student, athlete and professionally--and as a Christian making a difference in the world?
DTCS introduced me to Christ, I was taught to trust in Christ from an early age, that factor alone, is the key to every success in my life. I attended public high school in my sophomore year after 11 years of Christian Ed, the difference was obvious. I learned and was in fact challenged in my public education. However, the covering of Christ, throughout the building, over the faculty and staff, in the teaching, was not present, and that's the difference Christian Education makes.
What would you like to say to supporters of Dawn Treader?
As believers in Christ, we are called to discipleship, and the greatest gift is receiving Christ in your life and being taught to live a life that reflects the same. That begins with opportunity and exposure. Supporting DTCS means you are assisting in building the Kingdom of God. The key to achieving excellence begins with a strong foundation and Dawn Treader provides that opportunity. Pouring into our children, our future, ensures that they are skilled leaders ready to lead with Christ, in this world. That's the goal!
