Black college queens of 1995

Ebony, April, 1995

PREPARED to enter careers as physicians, attorneys, engineers, educators and many other professions as well, the 90 young women on these pages are among this country's best and brightest talent. The 1995 Black College Queens will launch their chosen professions from historically Black and predominantly White institutions, small-town campuses and urban universities. Each will take what she has learned to make a significant and lasting contribution to America's future.

The majority of the women will make those contributions in hometowns across the country, from Albany, N.Y., to Inglewood, Calif., from Memphis, Tenn., to Park Forest, Ill. Others will leave home to enter their chosen fields. For example, Miss Central State University, Vanessa Elaine Cochran, a political science and criminal justice major from Peru, Ind., will join the United States Army as a commissioned officer.

Some of the women will travel beyond America's borders to make their contributions. Originating from all over the globe, they plan to return to their native lands with what they have learned here. Paulyne Mbole Ngalame, Miss Benedict College, wants to practice pediatrics in her homeland of Cameroon, West Africa. Donna Tomlinson, Miss Prairie View A&M University of Jamaica hopes to become her country's first female prime minister.

No matter what career path she eventually takes or where that path ultimately leads her, each of these women will step into her future well-educated, prepared and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of her fellow citizens.

Chrystal R. Grandberry, an elementary education major from Memphis, Tenn., is Miss Philander Smith College. She plans to earn a master's degree in education administration, elementary school teaching.

Tracie LaJuana Spann of Columbia, Md., is Miss Alabama A&M University. She is a senior marketing major.

Sureya Z. Hendrick, Miss Alabama State University, plans to become a criminal attorney.

Melanie Delana Shorter is Miss Albany State College. She will pursue a career in pediatrics and enjoys playing the piano.

Michelle Elizabeth Graves, an aspiring teacher, is Miss Alcorn State University. She enjoys singing and performing dramatic interpretations.

Denise Saunders is Miss Allen University. The senior accounting major is on the National Dean's List and is from St. George's, Bermuda.

Kiysha Monique Gardner, a future elementary schoolteacher from Inglewood, Calif., is Miss Barber-Scotia College.

Paulyne Mbole Ngalame, Miss Benedict College, wants to practice pediatrics in her homeland, Cameroon, West Africa.

Deirdre Pecchioni is Miss Bennett College. A psychology major, she wants to use her skills to assist African-American youngsters.

Nino Williams, Miss Bethune-Cookman College, plans a law career. From Columbus, Ga., she is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society.

Tanya Small is Miss Bowie State University. She is a senior majoring in social work and a member of Alpha Delta Mu Honor Society.

Vanessa Elaine Cochran of Peru, Ind., is Miss Central State University. She is a senior political science and criminal justice major.

Tanisha LaVerne Grant of Brookhaven, Pa., is Miss Cheyney University. The broadcast journalism major enjoys collecting African art.

Cynthia Lucretia Thompson is Miss Chicago State University. She hopes to open her own martial arts school and a restaurant.

Kershena Arna Dickey, Miss Claflin College, is an aspiring elementary schoolteacher whose hometown is Lynchburg, S.C.

Shukura Ingram is Miss Clark Atlanta University. The English major is vice president of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society.

Marsha Nicholas of Maraval, Trinidad, is Miss Concordia College. She plans to obtain a graduate degree in speech pathology

Annette Sharie Gregory is Miss Coppin State College. A junior mathematics major, she enjoys reading, writing and interacting with children.

Liset Collazo, a senior drama and speech major, is Miss Delaware State University. She plans to pursue an acting career.

Lisa Ann Nevil is Miss Dilliard University and a mathematics and secondary education major. She wants to become a university president.

Shatonya Brooks, Miss East Texas State University, is a senior radio, television and marketing major.

Alesha Maria Jones of Jacksonville, Fla., is Miss Edward Waters College. She is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society.

Lynette Jordan, an English/news media major, is Miss Elizabeth City State University. She is a member of the Student Leadership Academy.

Christi D. Bradford, Miss Fayetteville State University. She is a senior English and sociology major and wants to become a physical therapist.

Kyra Shaunna Parker is Miss Fisk University. A native of Portland, Ore., she plans to become a Christian guidance counselor.

Apreal Mitchell, Miss Florida A&M University, plans to establish a wedding consulting firm and a fine arts school for minority students.

TraceyAnn Denise Bailey, of Yonkers. N.Y., is Miss Florida Memorial College. She is a senior aviation and airway science management major.

Stephanie L. Pullings, a senior chemical engineering major from Columbia, S.C., is Miss Florida State University.