2008 Woodie Awards
Interesting person of the week: Max Von Schlehenried
Lauren Evans
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
At first glance, Max Von Schlehenried seems like an average guy. A sophomore and member of the Micah House program, Von Schlehenried is a biology and music double-major who likes to watch television in his spare time. However, there's more to him than what first meets the eye.
Von Schlehenried's background is unique, to say the least. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, in the midst of an unsettled time in the country's history. He lived part of his life during the apartheid era, during which people were separated into racial groups on the basis of legal classification.
In 1994, when he was in first grade, the apartheid was dismantled after a series of negotiations.
"I grew up in political and social unrest," Von Schlehenried said, "but in some ways I am lucky to have lived in South Africa when I did. It was an interesting time in history."
Von Schlehenried was surrounded by crime in his hometown, where some of his own family members were murdered.
When his mother's brother and sister moved to the United States to escape crime in Johannesburg, Von Schlehenried's parents decided to do the same. His family moved to Dallas during the summer of 2000 with just a few suitcases and no real plan. His parents found jobs and applied for permanent residency in the United States, and his family received their green cards in 2004.
Von Schlehenried said that the United States is very different from South Africa. He loves the freedom and the security he feels here.
"In America, you can have goals and actually accomplish them. Your future is more secure," Von Schlehenried said. "It wasn't that way in South Africa. I have found Americans to be sheltered, but very intelligent."
After attending the Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, he chose to come to Saint Louis University because of the friendly atmosphere on campus.
In his free time, Von Schlehenried enjoys composing music, both modern and classical, and spending time with his friends.
He describes his experience in Micah House as, "very rewarding. I am surrounded by some of the friendliest and most committed people that I have ever met."
Von Schlehenried also volunteers for La Clínica, a charitable organization that provides medical care for low income Hispanic immigrants in South St. Louis.
Von Schlehenried's background is unique, to say the least. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, in the midst of an unsettled time in the country's history. He lived part of his life during the apartheid era, during which people were separated into racial groups on the basis of legal classification.
In 1994, when he was in first grade, the apartheid was dismantled after a series of negotiations.
"I grew up in political and social unrest," Von Schlehenried said, "but in some ways I am lucky to have lived in South Africa when I did. It was an interesting time in history."
Von Schlehenried was surrounded by crime in his hometown, where some of his own family members were murdered.
When his mother's brother and sister moved to the United States to escape crime in Johannesburg, Von Schlehenried's parents decided to do the same. His family moved to Dallas during the summer of 2000 with just a few suitcases and no real plan. His parents found jobs and applied for permanent residency in the United States, and his family received their green cards in 2004.
Von Schlehenried said that the United States is very different from South Africa. He loves the freedom and the security he feels here.
"In America, you can have goals and actually accomplish them. Your future is more secure," Von Schlehenried said. "It wasn't that way in South Africa. I have found Americans to be sheltered, but very intelligent."
After attending the Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, he chose to come to Saint Louis University because of the friendly atmosphere on campus.
In his free time, Von Schlehenried enjoys composing music, both modern and classical, and spending time with his friends.
He describes his experience in Micah House as, "very rewarding. I am surrounded by some of the friendliest and most committed people that I have ever met."
Von Schlehenried also volunteers for La Clínica, a charitable organization that provides medical care for low income Hispanic immigrants in South St. Louis.
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