Scholars in the Arts
Randy’s provocative works of metal, wood, and paint have earned considerable recognition.
Khadeejah Gray
“Being one of the few, and often the only Black American/American Indian females in my academic and extra-curricular settings has always been a challenge. As high school progressed, I felt the growing reality of learning in a predominantly white school when we began to study aspects of United States history that affected my cultural, familial, and personal history in ways that it did not to other students. These experiences have shaped my academic voice and values.”
- Program: 2008 College Scholarship Recipient
- Hometown: New York, NY
- Four-year College or University: Barnard College
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Religious Studies, The Arts
Biography
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUNG SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE: Khadeejah participated in a summer course in existential philosophy with the Center for Talented Youth and attended an intensive chess training camp. As a Young Scholar, she also studied Irish theater at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and traveled to Ireland to study Irish history and culture.
PROFILE: Serving as a role model for her younger sister has shaped Khadeejah’s outlook in important ways. “Helping my younger sister achieve academic success helped me realize its importance and led me to try to set an example for her by actively pursuing my own academic and creative interests.” Khadeejah is passionate about theater and acting. She studied and performed Shakespeare in a New York City park through the Joseph Papp Jr. Shakespeare Workshop and was one of 16 students nationwide chosen to attend a summer acting program in Dublin, Ireland. She also enjoys writing and has received honorable mentions for her poems.
INSPIRATION: The most influential people in Khadeejah’s life have been her mother and her siblings. Khadeejah was inspired after reading Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth. “The book expanded my understanding of myself and the traditions of different cultures.”
ASPIRATION: Khadeejah aspires to attend graduate school once she completes undergraduate study. She would like to learn Arabic and Spanish.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Khadeejah teaches chess to children at the Harlem Children’s Zone and the Children’s Aid Society and volunteers at the American Indian Community House.
ACCOLADES: The United States Chess Federation named Khadeejah one of the top 100 female chess players age 16 and under in the country. In 2005 and 2006, she earned fifth place in the Girls National Chess Championship. She also ranked cum laude in the US Classical League’s National Latin Exam in 2003 and 2005.
INTERESTING FACT: Khadeejah was cast in the Off-Broadway play, (The Blood) Electra. During the play’s run she had almost daily rehearsals and performances.
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