Shining Knights: MVHS senior Dashon Brown eyes career in screenwriting

For Dashon Brown, storytelling is about creating moments that stay with people long after the screen fades to black.

A senior at Mount Vernon High School, Dashon is preparing to study film in college, driven by a belief that movies can create deep, lasting ties between people.

“I see how much film connects with people,” he said. “They’ll watch a movie and connect with someone they’ve never met before, and it connects with them on such a deep level. I want to create something like that.”

Dashon’s creative interests span multiple disciplines. He enjoys drawing, painting and photography, and he has developed a strong appreciation for art in all its forms. Writing, however, has become his primary focus.

After taking a screenwriting class, he found that storytelling came naturally.

“For me, it was always writing,” he said. “I like to tell stories and create different characters.”

He hopes to pursue that path further in college, with an eye toward becoming a writer-director so he can bring his ideas to life exactly as he imagines them.

Dashon has taken advantage of every opportunity to grow as an artist. In his art class, he has explored different creative approaches that have strengthened his passion. He also spends time in a photography class, learning camera techniques even though he is not officially enrolled.

“I try to learn from him and see what he does with his class,” Dashon said of the photography teacher. “I get to learn how to use cameras and stuff.”

His teachers have played an important role in shaping his development, particularly in helping him build writing skills and understand storytelling structure.

“They taught me how to write stories properly and helped me learn different storytelling techniques,” he said.

Dashon has paired his creativity with consistent academic success. He maintains an average in the high 80s and 90s, and recently earned principal’s honor roll with a 99 average.

“I’ve been making honor roll pretty much every quarter since freshman year,” he said proudly.

His approach to schoolwork is simple: start early and seek help when needed.

“I try to tackle my assignments right away,” he said. “If I’m not able to do it alone, then I will ask my teachers. I’m never afraid to ask for help.”

That mindset has been especially valuable in his rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, which include IB math, literature, history and art. The transition into multiple IB classes during junior year brought a heavier workload, but he adjusted over time.

“The shift was definitely noticeable,” he said. “But I think I was able to do it well.”

Dashon is already gaining real-world experience in filmmaking. He was selected for a program through the Jacob Burns Film Center, where a group of students is collaborating on a documentary project.

“It’s going to be 10 students, and all together we’re going to be making a documentary,” he said.

The opportunity allows him to work with cameras, develop production skills and better understand the filmmaking process.

He is also participating in a youth employment program through the city, where he works as a teacher’s assistant in an art classroom.

In that role, he helps students with their projects and supports the teacher with daily tasks.

“I like seeing people passionate about their art,” he said. “It makes me feel good.”

Dashon’s involvement extends beyond academics and the arts. As treasurer of his senior class, he has worked to organize events and encourage school spirit. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, where he participates in tutoring and community service efforts. 

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue giving back to Mount Vernon.

“Even if I get out of the city, I still want to come back and help out,” said Dashon, who credits his family with providing steady support throughout his journey. From helping with college essays to offering advice, they have played a key role in his success.

“It’s really important to me,” he said. “I see people who don’t get that same amount of support, so I see myself as very lucky.”

With college acceptances and scholarships already secured and more decisions on the way, Dashon is focused on what comes next. His goal is to continue developing his craft and telling stories that resonate.

At the center of it all is the same motivation that first drew him to film: the chance to create something meaningful.

“I want to do something like that and create something that people will get back to,” he said.