Newspaper Page Text
October 4, 1990
Clark Atlanta University Panther
Page 7
A Role Model Of ‘Excellence Through Vision’
By PAULETTE V. WALKER
Editor-in-Chief
It was 6:30 p.m., Sept. 24.
The Clark Atlanta University
campus queens had assembled
in the Thayer Hall Student
Lounge to discuss details of
the coronation program. As the
meeting adjourned, an electric
excitement permeated the
atmosphere. The beautiful
young ladies — chosen to
represent classes, dormitories,
fraternities, sororities and
other organizations — gather
ed around anxiously to discuss
their dresses and such.
In the corner of the lounge, a
group had gathered. It was
difficult to see the person at
the center of all the attention,
but her lilting voice could be
heard patiently explaining
details of the coronation
ceremony.
“Trecia, I am sorry to bother
you, but . . .,” said one
distressed young lady. “Oh
don’t worry about it,” said
Trecia. “You’re not worrying
me, I am here for you.”
7:45 p.m. With the exception
of a few stragglers and Trecia,
everyone had left. Trecia had
been on the go since 7 a.m.,
tightening loose ends for the
coronation, but she still pati
ently offered her time and
advice to those that remained.
“I love my classmates — my
people,” said Trecia. “To me, it
is an honor that they come to
me in the first place.”
Trecia Yolivia Wilhite, 21, is
Miss Clark Atlanta
University. She is a vision of
beauty, inside and out; CAU’s
vision of love.
“I had a vision of love, and it
was all that you’d given to me.
. . This line, taken from
Vision of Love by Mariah
Carey, sums up the way Trecia
feels about her dedication to
God, her people and to
excellence.
“With the help of God, my
parents, and my dear friends, I
have been able to achieve,”
said Trecia. I have received
much and I know that much is
required of me in return.”
At the demure height of 4 ft.,
11 in. Trecia manages to exude
the grace, stature, and
composure of a giant. What
brought this budding flower
from the Garden City of
Augusta, Ga. to Atlanta?
“I decided to attend Clark
because I wanted to attend a
Black school,” said Trecia.
“Out of all the school’s I had
applied to, Clark offered me
the greatest opportunity for
growth — spiritual and educat
ional growth.”
“I have the highest respect
for historically black colleges
and universities,” said Trecia,
gleaming with pride. “As a
student at a predominately-
white high school, I had
always looked forward to being
around My people and learning
about Our history, from Our
perspective. There is a big
difference between so-called
White institutions and Black
institutions; At White schools,
everything seems to be a
competition — everyone trying
to outdo the other. Here at
CAU, and other Black institu
tions, there is a team spirit.. a
family.”
Trecia’s CAU family fondly
refers to her as “Lil Trecy”.
She holds a special place in the
hearts of faculty, staff, and
students at CAU. “Trecia was
destined to be Miss CAU,”
bragged one faculty member.
Was it fate that brought this
darling angel to seek the
throne? Perhaps, but Trecia
lists school pride as one of the
reasons she sought the title.
“My reasons for running for
Miss CAU were two-fold,” said
Trecia. “First, I sought a way
to show the pride I felt for my
school. Secondly, I saw the
office as an instrument for
serving as a role model for my
peers and a mentor for our
young people in the
community.”
Now that she has achieved
her goal, Trecia has great
plans.
“The motto that I used
during my campaign last
spring, “A Role Model of
Excellence through
Vision”, sums up what I want
to achieve as Miss CAU,” said
Trecia. “I want to be more
than an aesthetic queen — one
who looks pretty and dresses
nice. I want to get out there
and work. I will continually
earn the title of Miss CAU, the
work does not end with the
victory.”
Indeed, she has been
working for Clark since her
enrollment as a freshman in
1987. She has been and con
tinues to be, actively involved
in extracurricular activities, on
and off campus. Her activities
have been multi-faceted,
displaying her dedication to
service, professionalism, and
excellence.
Forever the selfless person,
Trecia has rendered her service
to mankind in many ways.
She served as a Big Sister of
Merner Hall for two years. For
three years, she has been a
member of the CAU Orient
ation Guide Corps and the
NAACP.
Her sorority sisters of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
hold her in the highest esteem,
evident by her being chosen as
the chapter’s Most Depend
able, Most Creative, and Miss
Alpha Pi.
Her classmates realized long
ago, that she possessed
queenly qualities. She has
reigned as 1st Attendant to
Miss Black and Gold, Miss
Congeniality in the 1st Miss
AKA-demic Pageant, and she
currently reigns as Miss
UNCF.
To gain a better understand
ing of her chosen profession,
Trecia holds membership in
the CAU Accounting Club, Phi
Beta Lambda Business
Society, and she was named
the Outstanding Junior
Student in the CAU Business
Department for 1990. She has
served as the treasurer for her
sorority for two consecutive
terms, and was recently
inducted as a life member into
the Beta Gamma Sigma
National Business Fraternity.
Trecia has done all this and
more, while maintaining an
excellent GPA. She maintain
ed a 4.0 cumulative GPA her
freshman and sophomore
years. For three years, she has
been recognized as Who’s Who
at American Colleges and
Universities, been on the
National Dean’s List and
CAU’s Dean’s List.
“It is important to be more
than just an academic
student,” explained Trecia.
“Studies are very important,
but being involved allows us to
learn more about ourselves and
others.”
Trecia is often commended
for her composure and bearing.
“She is such a little lady,” said
one student. According to the
little queen, her sweet disposi
tion stems from a strong and
loving family.
“There are many people
whom I have tried to emulate
for their admirable qualities,”
said Trecia. “But the person
who has had the greatest
impression on me is my
mother. She is a dedicated,
determined and ambitious
lady. She has the charm and
femininity of the 1960s, and
the finesse and drive of the
19908. She gives so much of
herself to so many people, yet
she still has time for me.”
Trecia gives a lot of credit to
her friends — a special one in
particular. “It’s been said that
behind every good man there
is a strong women,” said
Trecia. “Well the reverse is also
true.” Blushing slightly, she
smiles, fondly referring to
Terrence Michael Hill, her
boyfriend of five years.
“My generation seems to
rush into relationships without
looking at the person as a
friend first,” said Trecia.
“Michael and I have known
one another for many years
and we are the best of friends.
He has been a constant source
of support and inspiration.”
Preparing for Homecoming
1990 has kept Trecia very busy.
She looks forward to a rest, but
not for long.
“My work will not end after
homecoming,” said Trecia.
“Afterward, I would like to
plan the activities to forge a
stronger relationship between
the community and the
school.”
Destined to be a world-class
leader, Trecia has high aspir
ations for life after CAU. After
graduating in May of 1991, she
plans to pursue an MBA and a
Juris Doctor in Law.
“I want to be a corporate
lawyer,” said Trecia. “There is
a need for African Americans
to become economically inde
pendent. Ultimately, I would
like to advise people on the
legal aspects of starting their
own businesses.”
Her classmates have
nothing but praise for Trecia.
Some words that have been
used to describe her are
elegant, precious, dedicated,
dependable, and trustworthy.
How does she handle this
praise and admiration?
Leaning forward with hands
clasped she pauses to smile.
After carefully considering her
words she slowly begins . . .
“God is my guiding light. What
they see is Him shining
through me. I am a beacon for
him. He has given me a great
deal, and it’s for this reason
that I seek to inspire others to
be that best that they can be.”