User talk:Kushmonster420

Shontrai Irving
Purdue University Calumet would like to congratulate one of its outstanding alums, Shontrai DeVaughn Irving, a 2009 MBA for Executives graduate, for being inducted into the 20 under 40 class of 2011.

Every year, the Northwest Indiana Times Newspaper recognizes young professionals in the region for their success, leadership and community commitment. Mr. Irving clearly exemplifies all these characteristics and more. Mr. Irving is currently an attorney for the State Farm Litigation Counsel. In his previous position, Deputy Prosecutor for Lake County, Indiana, Mr. Irving prosecuted defendants for child abuse and neglect. After taking a foster parent class with his mother, Mr. Irving became a foster parent in 2006 and has provided a home to over 30 children over the last four years.

Rightfully deserving, Mr. Irving has received various awards including the 2007 Foster Parent of the Year and the Honorable Viola J. Taliaferro’s Award, as well as recognition by the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana General Assembly, and the President of the United States. He has also been featured on the Star Jones television show and on the back cover of State Farm Red International Magazine. Mr. Irving was also awarded the Outstanding Student award in MBAE group 10 by nominations from his Purdue University Calumet faculty members. Attorney at State Farm Insurance Shontrai D. Irving, of Gary, recently received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Indiana State Bar Association.

Irving, an attorney for State Farm litigation counsel in Crown Point, was recognized for exemplifying the virtues embodied in the oath required of all Indiana attorneys when admitted to the bar. He was also recognized for his service, not only to the legal community but his compassion and dedication to others by involvement and volunteer service to the community.

Irving works with diversity and inclusion and has helped develop a speaker's series presented to State Farm employees bimonthly.

He also is a single foster parent.

"My mom was taking foster parent classes through The Villages and asked me to go with her," Irving said. "Initially, I thought I would do that for her.

"At the time, I was deputy prosecutor for Lake County, and the cases I was working on made me really think about how abuse and neglect affects children, and taking the (foster parenting) classes made me think more how can I help these children in the system and children as a whole.

"I spoke to my grandmother -- I lived with her at the time -- and said why don't we try and make life better for one child ... and one became four."

Irving, just 32 at the time, initially took in a group of four siblings, who remain in his care and since 2006 has opened his heart and home to others -- a total of 20 children to date.

Irving is a licensed foster parent, as is his mother and aunt.

"We have a family committed to caring for youth," he said.

"It's probably the most fulfilling duty I do. I believe in community service. I feel like I'm doing service to children every day. Hopefully, when I leave this earth, and hopefully (that's) no time soon, I'll feel I left an impact, a positive impact on these children and other children.

"When I took on this endeavor, I never thought I would receive the recognition I've received. I just wanted to help children," he added. "It means a great deal to me to have been honored by the Indiana State Bar Association."

Irving was named Indiana's 2007 Foster Parent of the Year by the Indiana Foster Care Adoption Association and has received recognition from the Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana General Assembly. In 2008, he received the President's Volunteer Service Award and President's Call to Service Award.

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com.

Recent edit
This is your only warning; if you vandalize Wikipedia again, as you did at United States, you may be blocked from editing without further notice. TFD (talk) 03:02, 16 April 2013 (UTC)