As a cheerleader, thumb a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America, Raven Parham still finds the time to maintain a 4.12 GPA. Raven, who is enrolled in the Petersburg Gifted Program, is also ranked 5 out of the 200 students at Petersburg High School.
As she completes her senior year of high school, Raven said her top college of interest is Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. She hopes to major in Computer Information Systems and minor in Journalism. “I really enjoy looking at magazines and I enjoy scrapbooking so I think it would be cool if I could do layouts for online with different magazines,” Raven said. “I enjoy fashion and it would be amazing for me to be behind the scenes putting it together with great websites, blogs, editorials, fashion applications, etc.” Other top college options for Raven include Hampton University and Howard University. She said her dream is to become an online magazine editor.
While attending Vernon Johns Junior High School, she was crowned “Miss Freshman” and was crowned “Miss Junior” last year. This year Raven hopes to run for not only Homecoming Queen, but also class Vice President. She currently works at Marshall’s in Colonial Heights, Va. “Even though I am highly engaged in my school work, I still find time to work a part time job,” Raven said. “Working has taught me a few small life lessons as it pertains to responsibilities. For example: being on time, doing my best, and showing up prepared.”
Raven said she enjoys doing things for her community and finds it helpful, caring, fun, and a way to build character. Some of her community service includes volunteering at the 10th Annual 5k Run at Chalkley Elementary School, where she helped decorate and run the concession stand. She also passed out water to people at the Walk/Run for Ukrops Monument 10k Walk which was sponsored by Martins. She has helped feed the homeless during Thanksgiving and Christmas and also helped pass out school supplies to children at the Petersburg Sheriff’s Department. With her cheerleading team, she has helped to run a free cheerleading camp and performed at Walnut Hill Elementary School for an event for children in foster care.
Raven is a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Petersburg and was also a 2014 Junior Debutante. This year, she will be a Senior Debutante 2015, which will be sponsored by The Wives of the Beaux Twenty Club. When asked who influences her to succeed the most in life, she said her grandfather. “Because he always keeps me going and he does a lot for me, I just want to make him proud,” Raven said.
