Black college queens 1997

Ebony, April, 1997

Gifted and ambitious group of young women strive to become influential forces in the 21st century

The 94 college queens on the 1997 list--future engineers, attorneys, physicians, educators, theologians and more--are hard at work preparing themselves to become influential forces in the 21st century. Starting in the middle of the alphabet, the annual list includes queens from historically Black colleges and universities and a number of Black queens from predominantly White schools.

Many of the collegiates express interest in working with disadvantaged children, the disabled and low-income families in rural and inner-city communities around the country. Some of them want to enter the corporate ranks in the fields of marketing, finance and computer science. Still others envision themselves in the pulpits and classrooms of America. All of these gifted, ambitious young women, however, hope that wherever they find themselves, they will be able to make a positive difference in the lives of the people they encounter.

Atlanta native Alyssa L. Locus (right) is Miss Norfolk State University. She plans to pursue a career that combines law and international media communications.

Noni Kaia Antionette Gaylord, Miss University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, is a senior majoring in psychology. A member of the student government association, she enjoys reading, playing the piano and meeting new people.

Halima Aisha Muhammad is Miss Alabama State University and a member of the Air Force ROTC. She plans to enlist in the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant.

Joeletta Ontario Patrick, Miss North Carolina A&T State University, wants pursue a career in electrical systems engineering.

Johnette Willandra Atkinson is Miss North Carolina Central University. The biology major wants to enter medical school in the fail.

Ardis Darla Pascall is Miss Oakwood College. She is a native of Orlando, Fla., and a junior majoring in biochemistry.

Kathryn Harris is Miss Paine College. In the fall, she hopes to attend Mercer University where she will study geriatrics.

Shannon Jackson is Miss Paul Quinn College. She is an elementary education and English major who wants an advanced degree in psychology.

Danielle E. White of Houston, Texas is Miss Prairie View A&M University. The 21-year old expects to graduate in May with an engineering degree.

Shasante C. Jackson, Miss Rust College, is a campus news editor and TV anchor. She majors in English and journalism.

Nicole Johnson, Miss Saint Augustine's College and a physical education major, is also a member of the school's softball team.

Angela Nicole Ghee is Miss Saint Paul's College. The sociology major likes to sing and dance and is a choral society member.

Tamara L. Render a future corporate analyst and Miss Savannah State University, is a mathematics and computer science student.

Toinette Nicole Ratliff is Miss Shaw University. She is listed in Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

Chantia Carlina Williams is Miss Johnson C. Smith University and a senior psychology major, concentrating in criminology.

Tasha Nicole Wilbert of Little Rock, Ark., is Miss Philander Smith College. A biology major, she plans to become a pediatric physician.

JaMelia LeBon Baylor, a member of the Drama Club, is Miss South Carolina State University. She hopes to someday open a school of the arts.

A native of Los Angeles, Heather Yvette Williams, Miss Southern University at Baton Rouge, majors in Spanish and biology.

Naomi L. McGee is Miss Southern University at New Orleans. A senior mathematics and pre-med student, she wants to practice medicine.

Miss Southern University at Shreveport, Stephanie West, is an active church member studying early childhood education.

Latoya Lyshorite Whaley, of Slaton, Texas, is Miss Southwestern Christian College. The nursing major enjoys basketball.

Karan J. Kendrik is Miss Spelman College. A member of the jazz ensemble, she spends her free time writing and reading.

Ursula V. Johnson, a future seminary student, is Miss Stillman College. She is studying religion, philosophy and sociology.

Nicolle Antoinette Larkins is Miss Talladega College. The computer science major plans to pursue a career in theater arts.

Robbyne Antoinette Manning is Miss Tennessee State University. The psychology major enjoys dancing and rollerblading.

Takako Jackson, 22, is Miss Tennessee Technological University. A resident of Nashville, Tenn., she plans to attend graduate school.

Denikwa Yolon Denson is Miss Texas College. She is a biology club member and honor roll student who enjoys drawing and basketball.

Melody Mays, a psychology major pursuing minor studies in child development, is Miss Texas Southern University.

Samecia Andrianov Minter, Miss Tougaloo College, hopes to become a college professor and to own both a daycare and an elderly care center.

Natalie Nicole Williams, Miss Tuskegee University, is a business administration major who enjoys swimming and traveling.

A native of Georgetown, Guyana, in South America, Yonella Andrea Moore is Miss University of the District of Columbia.