A native of Wharton, Texas, and a graduate of Wharton ISD, Desurae is deeply involved in the local community and a well-recognized advocate for youth education programs within the local area. Desurae has a passion for working with disadvantaged youth, serving as a program director for the Just Do It Now community center in Wharton, program mentor for Boys and Girls Club, assistant teacher, and camp counselor. Ms. Matthews has both a M.S. and a B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. In her free time, Desurae coaches multiple youth sports teams and also runs a nonprofit girls’ empowerment program in her hometown.