Membership has its privilege, so says the expression and that privilege was extended to eleven dynamic, determined and progressive women at Prairie View A&M University, when they were inducted into the 100 Collegiate Women of America on November 8 This day changed their lives forever because now they are part of a cadre of women who are on the move, engaging, educating, empowering and inspiring others to greatness..
These women come with varied background, experiences, talent, skills and classifications that will enhance the organization as a whole. They hold membership in several organizations on the campus to include the PVAMU Pre-Alumni Association, Panther Advisory Leaders, Student Government Association, University Ambassadors, and major organizations in agriculture, biology, business, education, engineering, political science and juvenile justice and nursing.
The ladies were formally pinned on November 16 at the 2012 Black Tie Scholarship and Awards Gala, hosted by the Collegiate 100 men.
Lakisha Alomaja is a 19 year-old, sophomore in Criminal justice major with a legal business minor, hailing from the home of the Texans, Houston, with a family background from Nigeria through her parents Henry and Jacqueita Alomaja. She is a founding member of the Student Ambassadors program and serves as vice president if the Criminal Justice Club. She also holds membership in the Panther Advisor Leaders and the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Her goals are to make an impact on Prairie View A&M University, while transforming herself into the best that she can be. She aspires to become a corporate attorney.
Symone’ A. Benard is a 21 year-old senior majoring in Psychology, hailing from Beaumont, Texas. She holds membership in the Psychology Club (Secretary), the Association of Black Psychologists (Secretary) and the Panther Advisor Leaders. She is listed on the Dean’s list and enjoys dancing and listening to music. She is driven to help create programs for adolescent African American girls who may lack a motherly figure in their lives. Symone’ enjoys mentoring and plans to serve her community. Her ambition is to become a Psychologist.
Briya Boone is a 19 year old sophomore Biology major from Spring, Texas. She holds membership in the Undergraduate Medical Academy at Prairie View A&M University. She is a founding member of the Asian Immersion Club at Prairie View A&M University. Her goals are to inspire her peers and make an impact in the community. Her plans are to attend medical school after completing her undergraduate career. She aspires to become a doctor and continue to better the lives of those around her.
Lauren Bosman is a 20 year old, junior in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration on Social Studies 4-8 grade, representing Alief in South West Houston with a family roots in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is an active community by volunteer with services at My Brother’s Keeper in Alief and The Second Mile Mission in Missouri City, Texas. She holds membership in Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Panther Advisor Leaders, Helpers Advancing the Lives of Others and Campus Activities Board. She aspires to be certified teacher and Principal.
Kamiya J. Calhoun is a 19 year old, sophomore at Prairie View A & M University and a Nursing major from Long Beach, California. Her parents are Letha Bascus and Jason Calhoun. She is a member of the Panther Dolls Dance Team (Social Officer), Prairie View Student Nurses Association (Media Coordinator) and the 100 Collegiate Women of America. Kamiya serves as a Laboratory Assistant in the University College computer lab. She aspires to be a Registered Nurse, earned Masters Degree and become a Physician’s Assistant and a contract nurse. ”
Chelsea Chore is a 20 year old, junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in English from the Los Angeles, California. She is a member of the Psychology Club and enjoys reading books on the Empowerment of African Americans and mentoring young girls. She has a passion for writing and aspires to write a book on African American studies. Her goals reflect her personality; she wants to make a positive impact on her community and those around her. She plans to use her education to give back to her community and use it as a stepping stone to help others achieve their dreams. Her ambition is to earn a PhD in Psychology.
Amber Z. Gary is a 20 year old, junior Business Management major, originally from Washington, DC. She is currently active as the Vice President of INROADS Intern Student Association, a member of Club Chic and for the last two years served on the committee for the PV Choice Awards. She has prior affiliations and involvement in Student Government Association, Panther Advisor Leaders, and Campus Activities Board. During the summer, she had the privilege to intern with a Fortune 500 company, and her plans are to continue interning until graduation, with hopes of landing a full time position. Her goals are to continue to mentor and inspire others to reach their fullest potential while making a mark on the community.
Candace Jackson is a 22 year old, senior in Biology major and Chemistry minor daughter of Debra Jackson and Lester Williams. She is from the beautiful Houston, Texas. She is a very active student in many organizations such as the president of dental club, PALs, Chemistry club, MAPs, and etc. She also volunteers for Annotated Caring Homes to help children that have disabilities. Her goal is to become a dentist, own a dentist office named Fairy Dental, and give back to her community starting with smiles. She hopes she can inspire young women to go after their dreams and to never give up.
Tezya Jackson is a 20 year old, junior in Communications majoring in Mass Communications, with a minor in Theatre, from Dallas, Texas. She was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, with her parents Gregory and Lisa Jackson and younger sister, Alexa. Inspired at a very early age, writing and directing would be her passions that she pursued from elementary to college in advancing a career as a filmmaker. She is a member of the Charles Gilpin Player, Club Chic and 100 Collegiate Women of America. Her plans are to use media art as a way to demonstrate that images can provide understanding amongst all human stories. She is a dedicated writer, playwright and director, who hopes to encourage the world through art.
Santana Henderson-Jones is a 21 year old, junior a psychology/nursing major from Texarkana, Texas born to parents Caroline Henderson and Andre Jones. She holds membership in the Panther Ambassadors of the Criminal Justice and Psychology department, Panther PhDs (Promoting Healthy Decisions), Psychology club, the Panther Advisory Leaders, 4-H Center Burn Camp counselors for burned patients, and 100 Collegiate Women of America. She is a Residence Service Tech. in the university college. Hers goals are to make a difference in the lives of many, to make an impact on her peers, and others in the community through her motivational speaking and her life achievement. Her ambition is to become a Clinical Child Psychologist/RN.
Tierra L'ne White is a 21 year old, junior majoring in criminal justice from Houston, Texas. She is the daughter of loving parents Tangerla D. Penn and Elvia N. White Jr. who supports her college choice. She attends New Life Tabernacle Church of God in Christ (Pastor Carl Davis), and is an active member of the Criminal Justice Club (Historian) and a Community Assistant in University Village. Her goals include becoming an FBI agent or working in investigation for the Drug Enforcement Agency, Houston. Tierra is open minded, loving, dedicated, caring, and a strong minded person. She understands that God has a plan for her and keeping him first is what she will do while on her journey to success! Her favorite quote is: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
The young ladies join a cadre of women who are committed to making an impact on the community and not an impression for the masses.
The 100 Collegiate members are gearing up for the spring 2013 when it is poised to engage in a national campaign of expansion to colleges and universities around the country. Additionally the organization looks to collaborating with national programs to inspire and empower young women and public service, such as "Support for Military Families and Veterans, a national program of First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Jill Biden, "Girls Empowerment" by Oprah Winfrey and the Girls Scout of America. Currently, the organization works and supports the National Empowerment for Girls of Houston, Texas where they meet with high school girls every second and fourth Saturdays.
For more information on 100 Collegiate Women of America, write to collegiate100women@gmail.com.
