Help My Son, Tayrell Ely, Achieve His College Dreams

It takes a village to raise a child, and today I’m humbly asking mine to help my son take the next step toward his college dreams.

My name is Sharlivia Slaughter—though many of you know me simply as Coach Shar, the McDaniel High School Stomp N Shake cheer coach, student success advocate, and community volunteer. I’ve spent years pouring my heart into helping other young people believe in themselves and reach their goals, and now, I’m here asking for that same love and support for my own child.

My son, Tayrell Ely, is a proud Portland native and recent McDaniel High School graduate with a 3.8 GPA. He has worked incredibly hard to overcome personal challenges, all while staying committed to his education and his dream of attending the University of Oregon to major in Business Marketing.

As a single mother, I’ve done everything I can to support Tayrell working tirelessly while giving back to the community that helped raise us both. But even with all my efforts, we’re still facing a financial gap. We need to raise the remaining $9,000 to cover his tuition for the 2025–2026 school year.

Your support would not only help Tayrell attend his dream college, but it would also empower him to one day give back to this same community—mentoring others, creating opportunities, and helping to change lives through education.

Any donation, no matter the size, is a blessing to our family. Your prayers, love, and encouragement mean more than words can express.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of Tayrell’s village and believing in his future.

With gratitude and love,

Sharlivia “Coach Shar” Slaughter

Proud Mother of Tayrell Ely