<p>When Deonte Haywood arrived at Simeon Career Academy in the fall, the 14-year-old felt “shy about his height.” And he worried about finding his place among the many towering students who came to the basketball powerhouse with dreams of becoming the next Derrick Rose.</p><p>But Deonte found his crowd when a school counselor just happened to enroll him in a drama class. That class was tasked with putting on Simeon’s first full-length play in perhaps decades.</p><p>Despite his small stature, Deonte filled the stage as a Southern preacher in a fitted blue suit. He saw it as much more than a chance to be in the spotlight in a play by the famed August Wilson.</p><p>“It really gave me a chance to express myself,” he said.