Donna Davenport, Devin Tucker and 6th graders at Graves Co. Central Elementary

HALF A LIFETIME! – When Donna Davenport and Devin Tucker began a mentoring relationship as he started kindergarten, little did the two know they’d still be celebrating birthdays together seven years later – more than half a lifetime for Devin, a sixth grader at Graves County Central Elementary School. They were paired the year Central opened its doors for the first time. On Dec. 7, Davenport brought cupcakes for Devin to share with his fellow sixth graders to celebrate his 12th birthday.

Not only has Devin completed most of elementary school during their time together, but Davenport, a model of lifelong learning, completed Master’s of Business Administration and Master of Divinity degrees. She also progressed from serving as executive director of the Mayfield-Graves County Chamber of Commerce to manager of the Graves County Schools’ Performing Arts Center, Mid-Continent University adjunct faculty member, and now as pastor and speaker at various Cumberland Presbyterian churches in western Kentucky and southern Illinois.