Spring Break
Creating Community
Texas A&M BSCA president plans for fall
By: Patrique Ludan
Issue date: 6/24/09 Section: News
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Originally from Shreveport, La., Carter moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1997. There she attended the School of Science and Engineering at the Yvonne Ewell Townview Center the second best public school of secondary education in the nation, according to Newsweek magazine.
High school, she said, more than prepared her for adulthood.
"Actually high school for me was like four years of college before college," Carter said. "I was on Drill Team, served on our Senior Board, [was a] representative of the senior class with the PTSA and Prom Queen. I was also on the Superintendent's Honors List for the number of AP tests I passed."
Her greatest accomplishments, however, were good grades, Carter said.
"Mrs. Aday, my calculus teacher in high school, placed stars on her star wall for her students who received a 5 on the AP exams. You received a small star for AB and a large one for BC. I was so happy when I realized I got both of my stars on the wall," Carter said. "She even held a little star ceremony after school one day."
In 2007, Carter had accumulated enough credits from the School of Science and Engineering Magnet to enter the University as a sophomore.
Carter attributes her success to her parents, she said.
"I truly appreciate my upbringing," Carter said. "[My parents] allowed for me to make my own mistakes so that I could grow into my own person. They encourage me, uplift me, and inspire me."
Carter is outgoing and displays excellence in whatever she does, said Carter's mother Cynthia Carter.
"She is a leader and a devoted team player," Cynthia said. "She has an ability to set goals for herself and achieve them."
It was Carter's faith and priority in education that led her to become the top African-American in her graduating high school class, Cynthia said.
When considering colleges, the Aggie way of life was love at first sight, Carter said.
"I randomly received a letter from the Dallas Branch of the Texas A&M prospective Student Center inviting me to visit the campus. When I arrived, I fell in love with the feel of home, and the warmness I was invited with," said Carter. "It was very different from any other college visit. I absolutely adore the traditions and I can honestly say I saw the love for A&M that so many Aggies share."
Carter is a very strong individual, said Carter's father Alvin Carter.
"I am a father that is glad to have her as my daughter," Alvin said. "She was raised to be a good person and she turned out great."
Starting out in the Girl Scouts and beauty pageants as a young girl, Carter became involved in many organizations as a college student.
"One main thing that I did was get involved in student organizations in campus. I joined ExCEL and other organizations and I got a chance to work with the African-American community on campus," Carter said. "I got to encounter many of the issues that we are dealing with on this campus and this put me in a position to run for president of the Black Student Alliance Council."
The Council will help encourage African-American students this fall to become involved, Carter said.
"We are currently partnering with the Woodson Black Awareness committee to create a general membership body for African-American Students called the CU (Community of us) where students will be able to actively serve their community," Carter said.
1 What do you love most about being an Aggie? The thing I love most about being an Aggie is definitely the traditions. There is a tradition for almost everything. I enjoy attending a major University that still manages to sustain the rich heritage of a small college. The Aggie community is like no other. There is a place for every person.
2 If you had three hours of free time, what would you do? I would sit down and reflect on my life up until now and imagine my future. I would write down my concrete goals and the plan I want for my life. I would pray, meditate and thank God for my blessings. I would also spend time with the people I most care about and laugh with them until my stomach hurts and tears are rolling down my face. The little things in life make me happy.
3 When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was a child, I always wanted to be a medical doctor so that I could help people in need, because I hated seeing members of my family sick. Being the child that I was I also dreamed about being a famous singer. I even used to write my own songs and perform them for my friends.
4 What are your goals for after graduation? After graduation, I plan on attending medical school either in Texas or Tennessee. I want to focus on endocrinology, studying insulin production in the pancreas because I have a passion for diabetes research. Ultimately I want to either work for a pharmaceutical company or open my own medical practice in Atlanta.
5 What is your favorite memory made at Aggieland so far? My absolute favorite memory of Aggieland so far is attending Midnight Yell with ExCEL my freshman year. I had so much fun meeting all those new people, learning the yells, and doing the freshman wildcat. It was one of my first major experiences of the Aggie traditions. I still love Midnight Yell to this day. It is by far my favorite Aggie tradition!
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