Darryl York III graduated from Jesuit Academy in 2015 and Creighton Prep in 2019. He earned his Bachelor of Art in Computer Science with a specialization in Studio Arts in 2023 from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Looking ahead, he is considering going back to school to obtain his Master’s degree in Computer Science.
When asked about his time at JA, Darryl remembers playing basketball at Jesuit but that his team lost every single game within a season. Even though they weren’t the best, he still enjoyed playing the sport with his JA brothers. After the season ended, Mr. Manseur encouraged him to participate in track. He vividly remembers their first meet hosted at Burke High School. He just competed in the 200m dash and was out of breath, waiting for the rest of the competitions to wrap up. It was time for Jesuit to enter the 800m race and they needed someone to step up and run last-minute. He reluctantly agreed to run an extra race (even though he was exhausted from the 200m) but ultimately wanted to help his team. To his surprise, Darryl earned 3rd place overall in the 800m race. Even with his success that day at the meet, he promptly quit the next day. He decided that running track was not in the cards for him.
Darryl has chosen to take charge of his future by developing and owning his own business, Village Woodworking. It was an idea crafted during his senior year of college and made real in January of 2023. His love and appreciation for woodworking started his path of a career he could continue to develop and grow as time went on. Carleton College absorbed the 800-acre Cowling Arboretum as part of their campus in the 1920s. The beautiful trees there were used by Carleton professors within the woodworking class to create projects and works of art. It was from Arboretum trees that Darryl created his first passion project, the meditation stool. Present day, Darryl pours everything he has into his Village work. He strives to make timeless pieces that can be enjoyed by those he creates them for. Each piece is unique and made out of love for his craft.
Darryl has his sights set on the future and how he can continue to make an impact. He has many goals he aims to achieve and trusts that the Spirit will take him where he’s supposed to be. He is always Open to Growth, ready to take on whatever is next in his journey. In addition to Village Woodworking, Darryl wants to partake in outreach efforts. He hopes to partake in real estate ownership and be in powerful conversations with community leaders to enact change for the future. He’s choosing to stand on the values he’s obtained through his Jesuit education, as well as remaining curious and aspirational in his endeavors.
His advice for our JA students:
Be yourself. You’re not subject to the environment around you or what’s expected of you by others. You have the autonomy to be in charge of your own story and choose a path that makes you happy/fulfilled. What you want to do in life may not have a name or even have a specific job description yet. Use your talents and gifts to become the best at what you do. Rich does not equal money. Be rich in spirit, knowledge, and connection.
Check out Darryl's work on Instagram @villagewoodworking
