The 431 Exchange’s 2023 Spring Super Stars Just Keep Blooming!
This Spring’s Scholarship applicants were wonderful, many of them on their way to amazing futures. The four Super Stars you’ll read about below will certainly get your attention as they did ours!
Taleya Jordan
Taleya Jordan graduated from Dutchtown High School in Geismar, LA, in 2020. She is now enrolled in Southeastern Louisiana University at the age of 20, with a Major in Music Education and concentration in Voice. Her GPA is currently 3.5 and she anticipates graduating in 2025.
When we asked Taleya what made her courageous and eager to make a difference in her life, she said, “I have a condition and initially thought it would hinder my future, including college. Knowing I have made it this far, despite my physical hindrances, inspires me to be courageous and ready to make a difference in my life!”
She also told us she comes from a very musical family: her mom, dad, sister and, “I sing and play the guitar. I knew,” Taleya said, “from a young age I wanted to take my passion for music and use it to help others. I chose Southeastern Louisiana University for its creative, fulfilling, and well-rounded academic and performing environment. Being a Music Therapist is my absolute dream job and I can’t wait to pursue it in graduate school.”
Taleya went on to tell us, “In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. I am a music teacher who helps newcomers and seasoned performers improve their abilities with tailored lesson plans. One of the services I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons tailored to children with special needs. I am very privileged to have the opportunity to advance my career while studying at Southeastern Louisiana University!” Taleya shared that, in addition to her studies and teaching music lessons, she works at First United Methodist Church in Hammond, LA where she provides Choir Support and is a student worker for the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department at the University. With her own determination and focus, we know Taleya will be a Shooting Star!
Amber Williams
Amber Williams graduated from Liberty Magnet High School in Baton Rouge in 2021, then spent a year and a half at Baton Rouge Community College taking Business courses. She transferred to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge this year, with a major field of study in accounting. She too is working 20 hours or more a week to help pay her bills. What appeals to Amber most about accounting are the varieties: financial, management, audits, and more. And the job opportunities!
Amber knows that, when she graduates, she will have the necessary schooling to be able to advance to the courses required to take the CPA Exam. “My biggest goal in accounting at the moment is becoming a Certified Personal Accountant, and to work at an international accounting firm.” Amber also shared that it is her mother who has inspired and motivated her, especially in the past year. “She is not only my biggest cheerleader but she is selfless and willing to help anyone. I aspire to become like her as I get older!”
Abbygail Wheat
Abbygail Wheat graduated from Central High School, in Baton Rouge in 2020 and has enrolled in Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. Her major field of study is Mathematics with a concentration in Education. Her immediate delight is that she is the first member of her family going to college, and is going to college to get a degree in math. As she puts it, “You rarely see women getting degrees in STEM, but here I am first in my family in college and studying math. This makes me eager to encourage other women they can do it too!”
Abbygail says what appeals to her after college graduation is becoming a high school math teacher. “This degree program is the power to educate my students about the choice they have to go to college or not. I can even educate the girls about pursuing degrees ‘meant for men’ because women can do anything a man can nowadays.”
Rorisang Kgoadki
Rorisang Kgoadki, a 2021 graduate of Early College Academy, in Lafayette, LA., attended Johns Hopkins University from August 2021 – May 2022 with a major field of study in Earth and Planetary Sciences. He recently enrolled in Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where is major field of study is now Geology and a degree of a Bachelor of Science. His GPA is currently 3.89. He plans on working 20 hours or more per week during the school year.
When asked what motivates his studies, Rorisang says his parents are, “One of the biggest things that make me want to make a difference. They came all the way from South Africa so they could provide me and my brothers with a better chance at life. It’s not just that though. I have seen how many people they have touched in their lives. I want to be able to carry on that legacy and create a somewhat better world for people that I meet.”
Rorisang went on to tell us, “The thing I love about my degree program is how it covers so many scientific disciplines. Using the knowledge from my favorite subject will give me educational experiences and, in the future, when I have a bakery and tea shop, there will be good conversations and a tasty treat destination!”
We hope you agree that the 2023 Spring Super Stars you’ve read about are on their way to making positive changes in their lives and that of others!