LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / June 3, 2000

AMA – Carla Scott of Ama has all the makings of an excellent kindergarten teacher – intelligent and caring and with leadership experience. She’s alreadyproven herself as a role model.

Scott, 20, recently earned recognition as Female Role Model of the Year at the African-American Achievement Awards at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, where she is pursuing a degree in elementary education.

The daughter of Brenda Scott, the lifelong Ama resident “started off in nursing, but I don’t like blood.”Carla Scott said of the recognition itself, “I wasn’t expecting it; I wasn’t sure.”Besides that award, sponsored by SLU’s Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs, she’s also received the Outstanding Campus Leader award (as chosen by her peers), is a student government Supreme Court Justice, was a 1998 member of the homecoming court and has been involved in the Black Student Caucus, Campus Activities Board, the Gospel Choir, the Dream Team and Gamma Beta Phi honor and service society.

Scott started her academic career in St. Charles Parish’s public schoolsystem, graduating from Hahnville High in 1997 and moving on to Northwestern Louisiana University. She transferred to SLU in spring 1998.Since arriving in Hammond the junior has made a splash with her drive to be involved and achieve.

“I like to procrastinate, so it helps to keep busy,” she said, “knowing somebody’s watching you.”Indeed, it was only after a press release was issued on the award that her mother found out about it.

“She was excited for me,” Scott said. So were her older brothers, AnthonyDoris of Luling and Allen Scott of Ama.

Campus activities have kept Scott at center stage of practically everything.

“I try to make time for a social life on the weekend, but during the week, you’ll get the answering machine,” she said.

To relax, she enjoys shopping and, “I like to get in my car, put the gospel music real loud and sing.”The soprano has also been active at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ama sincechildhood and credits much of her drive to personal role models at the church, for which she’s deeply grateful. “So many don’t have someone tosupport them,” she added.

Even during the summer, she staying busy. Right now she’s wrapping up afour-day trip to the Women’s Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.,sponsored by the National Association for College Women Leaders, a conference paid for by SLU. During the conference she toured Capitol Hill andattended seminars and an awards night.

“I think it’s going to be fun,” she said prior to departing.

Scott is sympathetic to younger girls who pattern themselves after her.

She advised, “Never give up on your dreams, no matter how many people say you won’t prosper. Pray and keep strong people behind you.”

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