THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406110105 SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER DATELINE: 940612 LENGTH: COURTLAND
Lashley, 17, will graduate Wednesday from Southampton High School, where she's been a leader in student organizations and active in sports.
{REST} In addition, Lashley has participated in church and community events, and held a part-time job.
When she enters Virginia State University this fall, Lashley believes she will be able to balance the books and extracurricular activities.
``I want to be dedicated to activities,'' Lashley said. ``But I also want to be dedicated to books.''
This year at Southampton, she was the student government president and reached the highest level of participation in the Tribe, an organization that recognizes students' leadership abilities, volunteer efforts, citizenship and school attendance.
``It's like a citizenship award,'' she said.
Lashley also has been active in other areas: the yearbook staff, the varsity club, as a class officer, and on basketball and softball teams.
She also served as youth coordinator of the Community Youth Center in Boykins and was a member of her church choir.
And she worked as an office assistant at the high school and part-time at the Pizza Hut in Franklin.
Lunch is what she will miss most about high school, Lashley said.
``That's because of my friends,'' she said. ``That's the only time we can sit down and talk and laugh.''
At Virginia State, Lashley plans to major in education. She is considering becoming a physical therapist or perhaps a physical education teacher.
And she is prepared for the pressure of college courses.
``If you have that determination, that willingness to do it, you won't have a problem,'' she said. ``You have to be honest with yourself and decide what you're going to college for - an education or `free time.' ''
Eventually, Lashley hopes to return to Branchville, the community where she grew up.
``I hope I can be successful,'' she said, ``so I can give back to the community.''
And if she gets a little homesick while she's away at college, Lashley said it will be because of the love and support she has received from her family and friends.
``There's no better place to be than home,'' she said.
Her parents, Aubrey and Jessie Lashley, have encouraged her in all her endeavors, she said.
``They've been there,'' Lashley said. ``Sometimes we've been slack on the money, but we always pulled through.''
{KEYWORDS} CLASS OF 1994 GRADUATION
by CNB