Below are the individual bios of the talented group of youths who participated in the first O&U HBCU Tour.
Natisha "Tish" Johnson is the daughter of Florence Edwards and Nate Johnson. In August of 2005 she will begin her Senior year at Kankakee High School (KHS). During her first three years at KHS she has been active in a host of extracurricular activities such as Student Council Rep, Class President, Superintendent's Student Advisory Board, Marching Band, Drum Major, Concert Band, Students Againts Destructive Decisions (SADD), Interact, Cheerleading, and Softball. During the early portion of 2005, Johnson was handpicked as a debutante in the 2005 S.C.O.R.E. Debutante Ball.
Despite her involvement in the aforementioned school activities she maintains a 3.67 grade point average and ranks 26 in her class of 275. She is also a three year academic letter award winner and a new member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her many involvements on the scholastic level, Tish (as her family and friends affectionately call her) manages to remain an active member of her church. At Mt.Calvary Baptist Church, located in Saint Anne, Illinois (Pastor Alex T. Bond Jr.) she is a member of the Puppet Ministry, Junior Usher Board, Choir, Nursing Home Ministry, and also serves as Sunday School Secretary.
Upon graduation from KHS in May 2006 she plans to attend a four year university where she will major in either Biology or Secondary Education.
Carmella N. Crawford, the daughter of Dorothy Crawford, was born in Vallejo, California and currently resides in Kankakee, Illinois. Prior to moving to Kankakee, she resided in the Atlanta, Georgia area for several years. In August 2005 she will begin her matriculation as a Senior at Kankakee High School (KHS). During the first three years of her tenure at KHS she was on the High Honors Roll, she currently maintains a grade point average of 3.5, a trend she plans to continue for the remainder of her days in high school and throughout her collegiate career.
Crawford continues to prove that she is capable of excelling scholastically as well as handling other responsibilities, as she works part-time as a Dietary Aide at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee. Crawford is also an active member of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Kankakee, Illinois (Pastor Howard L. Wills Sr.) where she sings alto in the choir.
In her copious spare time Carmella enjoys writing, photography, music (primarily gospel), traveling, and being around positive people. Upon graduation from KHS in May 2006, she plans to immediately enroll in a 4-year university to major in Psychology.
Whitney V. Mittons, will begin her Senior year at Kankakee High School (KHS) in August 2005. She currently holds a 3.36 grade point average (GPA) and ranks 49th in her class of 275 students. While achieving high academic standards Whitney is also active in a wide array of extracurricular activities. These activities include Cheerleading Squad, Track Team (Kankakee County All City Hurdler), Student Againtst Drunk Driving (SADD), Spanish Club (President), Interact Club, and YMCA Volunteer Cheer Instructor. Due to her academic achievements and her involvements in the aforementioned activities, Mittons has been honored with the Black History Community Service Award, Ray A. Croc Award for Service, as an Academic Letter Award Winner, and most recently as a participant in the 2005 S.C.O.R.E. Debutante Ball.
In addition to maintaining a high GPA, participating in extracurriculars, and earning numerous honors, Mittons has held a part-time job for much of her time in high school. She is also a productive member at Mt. Calvary M.B. Church of St. Anne, Illinois (Pastor Alex T. Bond Jr.), where she serves as a member of the Choir, Puppet Ministry, and as the church's Junior Secretary.
When she isn't busy with any of the above activities, Whitney enjoys reading, shopping, cooking, make-up application (she has aspirations of becoming a licensed make-up artist), recreational running, and modeling (she was recently selected as a Senior Class Model for Byrne Photography). Upon earning her diploma from KHS she plans to attend a four year university where she will begin pursuing her dream of becoming a Child Psychiatrist.
Calvin Works is the son of Juno Works and the grandson of John & Jennie Works. In the Fall of 2005 he will begin his Senior year at Momence High School (MHS).During his first three years at MHS, Works has managed to maintain a 3.3 GPA while ranking in the top 50% of his class.Along with his academic achievements he has managed to find time to participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities. He is a member of the MHS Varsity Football Team where he is the starting quarterback.During last yearÂ’s season (2004) he was named Most Valuable Offensive Player by his team, while also garnering 1st Team All-Conference and Special Mention All-Area honors.Calvin is also a member of the MHS Varsity Basketball Team and also the school band, where he serves as the head drummer of the drum line.
Despite his many involvements in school Works is also a dedicated member of Mt.CalvaryBaptistChurch (Pastor Alex T. Bond Jr.).At Mt.Calvary he serves as the drummer for the Adult Choir, as a member of Puppet Ministry, and formerly as member of the Junior Usher Board.Calvin also makes time to work part-time at Shoe Carnival and as a volunteer at the Illinois State Nursing Home.In his spare time he enjoys weightlifting, running, reading sports books, and relaxing with friends and loved ones.
Upon graduation from MHS in May 2006 he plans to enroll at Southern University and A&MCollege where he plans to study engineering and play football.
