REBECCA CARRASCO

VACHERIE – Tyson Monique Collins, a 17-year-old student at St James High School, is more than ready to be a senior. Her busy junior year has been jammed with activities and responsibilities, heading a number of student organizations. As chairman of the 4-H Club and a member of Future Farmers of America, she has been concerned to inform students and people around the parish about safety issues. As a member of the Beta Club, she has just risen to the office of governor. As captain of the dance team, she oversees the introduction of new dance steps as she keeps the dance team in order. As president of the student council, she has helped to organize meetings and, especially importantly, the junior prom. She also serves as president of the junior class. In addition, Collins is editor-in-chief of the newspaper for the First Baptist Church in Vacherie, which she attends with her family, and a photographer for her journalism class. She also reports for the student council. “I write articles for the newspaper about the student council, and keep track of what goes on at the meetings in case a member misses a meeting,” she said. “During the summer,” Collins added, “I am usually at a college program or in the Governor’s program. The counselor signed me up for a program dealing with students as officers of the state. I also go to dance camp in the summers.” Despite the many demands of her current roles, Collins stays equally busy planning her future. Though only a junior, she has already given considerable thought to her college plans. “I plan on going to college to become a computer engineer,” she said, “and also to major in business.” At present, she is interested in Spellman College, a women’s college in Atlanta, Florida State University in Gainesville, Tulane University in New Orleans, and the University of Mississippi in Jackson. She has been a high achiever scholastically, ranking, she said, third in her class. “In my senior year,” she confided, “hopefully I will move up to number two in my class. Mainly, I would like to get a nice scholarship to help me get through college.” Collins does not let her drive and ambition keep her from enjoying life today. She is looking forward to attending the junior prom she has helped to plan, on May 12, eating out at a nice restaurant, and walking along the lakefront. “I didn’t put myself up for the basketball team,” she explained, “because I had so much to do, but maybe next year in my senior year, when I don’t have as much to do, maybe then I’ll play basketball.” She added: “Hopefully, I’ll enjoy my senior year a lot, have fun with the rest of my class, because that is the last of our time together. We may not see each other again.” Then again, she sees herself as coming back to Vacherie after college and working. “I’ll open a business down here. I love computers. I don’t know what I’ll do with computers, but I’ll find something.”