THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1995 TAG: 9412310120
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
SHE IS ONLY 16, but LaToya Mason already has big plans for her future.
She's not sure yet whether she wants to be a Spanish translator, a pediatrician or a chemistry teacher. But this bright Norview High junior is certain about one thing: she's going to make something of her life.
Never mind that some kids from the 'hood in the Bowling Green public housing community where she lives tease her, calling her ``Toya the nerd.''
``I don't respond negatively to them,'' LaToya, an honor student, said recently. ``I'm proud of who I am. I'm going somewhere with my life. I'm not just going to sit around and have kids. I'm going to church, I'm going to get married, and I'm going to have a career.''
LaToya, the daughter of Paula Anita Mason and Carl Carney, keeps busy. She's active in the Fountain of Life Church in Norfolk, where her grandmother, Ida Carney, is the pastor. She's an honor student at Norview, belongs to the school's Spanish club and is after a spot on the track team.
Several afternoons a week she can be found at the Bowling Green Recreation Center tutoring elementary kids in math and reading.
``She pitches in and helps out with any kind of program we have,'' said Denise Brown, recreation supervisor at the center. ``Anything we ask LaToya to do, she always says, `I'll try.' She's an ideal volunteer.''
LaToya's community spirit has not gone unnoticed. Last month, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Norfolk Resident Organization presented her with their ``Distinguished Student'' award.
The award is given annually to recognize school kids in public housing who have tried to do the right things - to help others, to serve as role models for younger children, to contribute to the community.
Brown has known LaToya for three years and is impressed with her determination to succeed. She has avoided the negative influences that have been the ruin of other teens: drugs, alcohol and crime.
``She's in the midst of it, but it doesn't faze her,'' Brown said. ``She's always been one of the good kids.''
LaToya said it dismays her that many of her peers at Bowling Green put down school and the value of getting an education. But not everyone in public housing is involved in drugs or is a school dropout, she said.
``Not all people in public housing are like that - it's just some people,'' LaToya said. ``I think they just give up too easily. They're not really looking toward their future.''
Some parents don't influence kids to go to school, she said. LaToya said she favors withholding welfare benefits from parents who let their kids skip school.
``Just enough to get the parents' attention,'' she said. ``After the child gets back in school and stays there, they get it back. Out here, some children are raising the parent - the child tells the parent what he's going to do.''
Her suggestion to avoid trouble is just to not be around it.
``I usually don't hang in the streets,'' she said. ``I spend most of my time at after-school activities, the recreation center and the church.''
Last summer, LaToya traveled outside the United States for the first time on a trip to the Bahamas with eight other Bowling Green youth ages 8 to 16. She performed in the islands with the Bowling Green Players, a repertory group that sings, dances and does improvisation.
The Players, sponsored by the Tenant Management Corp. of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, was created to spread positive messages. MEMO: Making The Grade highlights outstanding students, teachers and
administrators in Norfolk schools. To nominate candidates for future
articles, contact education reporter Jon Glass at 490-7204.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
LaToya Mason was honored recently by the NRHA and the Norfolk
Resident Organization.
by CNB