MAR - Newsletter - July 2022

IN THE MARGINS

The Official Newsletter of the MARvelous Mid-Atlantic Region

IN THIS ISSUE:
CHAPTER
PROGRAMMING
HIGHLIGHTS
MAR Year in
review




Jack and Jill of
America, Inc.

Volume 2 Issue 4 | July 2022

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 | JULY 2022 EDITORIAL TEAM

IN THE Koren Townsend
MARGINS MAR Regional Editor
Raleigh-Wake Chapter
WELCOME
Crystal Johnson
I’d like to welcome you all to the third issue of the 2021-2022 Chapter Editor
program year of In The MARgins, the official regional newsletter of Richmond Chapter
the Mid-Atlantic Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The focus of
CONTRIBUTORS
this newsletter will serve as a showcase of the marvelous
programming our amazing chapters are implementing. Tarcia N. Flemming
In this issue you will read about the regions newest provisional MAR Regional Director
chapters, highlights of our marvelous Mothers and Teens, along Columbia Chapter
with many more chapter highlights including the region's newest
Tomisha Gladman
Mother members MAR Regional Secretary
Needless to say, the Mid-Atlantic Region continues to excel with Winston-Salem Chapter
outstanding programing and enriching activities for our families.
Tiffany Spann-Wilder
Yours in Jack and Jill, MAR Member-At-Large
Charleston Chapter
Koren Townsend
Aimy Steele
Koren Townsend Teen Advisory Council
MAR Regional Editor Queen City NC Chapter
Raleigh-Wake Chapter
Krista Marshall
MAR Social Media Chair
Charlotte Chapter

CONTACT US

MID-ATLANTIC REGION
18 Austree Ct.
Columbia, SC 29229
[email protected]
www.jjmidatlantic.org

SOCIAL

@JJmidatlanticregion
@jjoamidatlantic
@jjoamidatlantic

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Table of Contents

3 GREETINGS
4 CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
5 REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
13 PROVISIONAL GROUP HIGHLIGHTS
20 CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
32 MOTHER HIGHLIGHTS
35 TEEN SPOTLIGHTS

Dear MARvelous Mothers,

The cover photo speaks volumes to the
year our families and teens have
experienced in the Mid-Atlantic Region. It
has truly been a delight to see the
excellence in leadership and programming
in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Especially our
2021-22 Regional Teen Leadership Team
and the class of 2022! Spread your wings
an soar.

While, we celebrate the accomplishments in the MAR, I send a
heartfelt thank you to all members for your work and dedication for
our children. Without you, our efforts in our chapters and the
community would not be possible.

As you thumb through this final journal of the 2021-22 program year,
hopefully you will see and celebrate with me the work we’ve done
and be inspired to do more for our children.

I hope you have an eventful and safe summer and I look forward to
another year of being “fit, focused and ready to serve” on mission
and on purpose for all children.

Tarcia N. Flemming

Tarcia N. Flemming

Regional Director

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The Chaplain’s Corner

Lenita Wesson, Chaplain, James River, Chapter

"SHE OPENS
HER MOUTH
WITH WISDOM,

AND THE
TEACHING OF
KINDNESS IS ON
HER TONGUE."

PROVERBS
31:26

4

Regional
Highlights

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Black Family Day

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, the Mid-Atlantic Region held the inaugural Mid-Atlantic
Regional Black Family Day. The event was held in Charlotte, NC at Truist Field, the
home of the Charlotte Knights, the local minor league baseball team. The Knights
hosted the Jacksonville Shrimp. There were families in attendance from across the
region. The Mid-Atlantic Region is led by Regional Director Tarcia Flemming of the
Columbia Chapter. RD Tarcia feels strongly about bringing the region together for
events like these. She stated “events like these allow for the families of the region to
rekindle and revive old relationships with the family. In addition, we get to celebrate
the black family in public. It's important for the world to see black families as a loving
and living unit.”

The Charlotte Knights provided our Jack and Jill families an on the field experience
prior to the first pitch. This allowed for some on the field photos. Teens bonded over
food and conversation, the young kids bonded by playing in the Kids zone and by
competing to catch fly balls in the outfield, dads bonded over food, drinks and
baseball while moms bonded through conversation food and drinks. Many new
friendships were formed and that is what Jack and Jill is all about.

National Black Family Day came about in May 1987 when the Honorable William
Gray III, a Congressman from Pennsylvania entered a tribute to Jack and Jill of
America into the Congressional Record. From that day forward, Jack and Jill of
America has celebrated Black Family Day in the month of May as an organization.

Author- Tarcia N. Flemming
Regional Director

The 69th Mid-Atlantic Regional Teen
Leadership Conference, hosted by the
Chesapeake and Hampton Chapters,
convened on Thursday, June 30, 2022
and concluded on Sunday, July 3,
2022. The first in person conference
since 2019 was held at the Hampton
Roads Convention Center in
Hampton, Virginia. The event
welcomed approximately 600 in
person participants.

The Mid-Atlantic Region was
represented by 27 chapters in
Virginia, North Carolina, and South
Carolina. We welcomed four Past
Regional Officers, Past Regional
Directors Chanda Douglas-Ward and
Pamela Askew and Past Foundation
Members at Large Nichelle Levy and
Holly Alford and the Past Regional
Teen Secretary Taylor Rawlings.

The events kicked off with a "Welcome Home" ceremony presented by the Sankofa
Project in the main lobby of the convention Center. The word Sankofa is an African
proverb, "it is not taboo to go back and fetch that which you have forgotten". We enjoy
the sounds and the rhythms of the Sankofa Tribe of Hampton Roads and we were
serviced by a array of food trucks and entertained with games and the sounds of Evan
the DJ. Open plenary kicked off later that evening and the conference was underway.

Teen Leadership Conference2022

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Friday was also filled with plenary sessions, oratorical contest, elections and talent
show. The MAR has talent. Congratulations to the newly elected Regional Teen
Officers- Ciara Grant, Regional Teen President- Honesty McQueen, Regional Teen
Vice President- Alexis Bennet, Regional Teen Secretary- Julian Duncan, Regional
Teen Treasurer- Taylor David, Regional Teen Foundation Chair- and Kennedy E.
Batts, Regional Teen Nominating Chair.

Saturday was filled with workshops, a senior teen bowling outing, the Rites of
Passage and the "Coming to America" Gala. We honored our graduating teens in
high fashion with drummers, dancers and rose petals. It was a truly a night to
memory. We concluded the conference with a word from Pastor Kevin Swann of the
Ivy Baptist Church. He reminded us to "get out the mud' and to "encourage
ourselves.

A special thank you to the Chesapeake and Hampton Chapters for their work and
dedication to our children and helping to make this conference fun and educational.
Thank you to the Regional Leadership Team for directing, guiding and keeping us on
track. We look forward to seeing you in Raleigh, North Carolina in "Melanin Magic"
style.

TEEN CONFERENCE
COLLEGE FAIR

DR. AIMY STEELE The Mid-Atlantic Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. held its first 69th
Annual Teen Leadership Conference (TLC) in person since 2019. The
theme was Black to the Future featuring a Homecoming due to the virtual
nature of the previous two conferences. TLC began with a robust opening
ceremony with the Sankofa African Drumming Circle to honor the
homecoming theme of this year’s conference. One impactful event that
also occurred on the opening day was the College Fair. Held in the front
area of the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA, the college
fair highlighted institutions physically located inside of the Mid-Atlantic
Region.

Representing both historically Black colleges and universities as well as
predominantly white institutions, we had the following in attendance: UNC
Chapel Hill, Hampton University, Meredith College, North Carolina State
University, The University of Virginia, East Carolina University, and
Elizabeth State University.

A key goal of the conference was to provide leadership and personal
development opportunities for our teens. Each institution willingly spoke
with students about their schools, enrollment and admissions
opportunities, as well as their personal skills and talents that could help
them as the teens began to consider the next leg of their journeys on
various college campuses.

This distinguished group of college recruiters offered discussions around
majors, campus activities, admissions processes, scholarship
opportunities, and so much more. We are so thankful for all the admissions
representatives as they supported our more than 400 registered teens.

For more information, please contact Dr. Aimy Steele at
[email protected] or 980-521-6132. Thank you.

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IMPACT HAMPTON ROADSTHE MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL TEENS
Teens came from every corner of
COMMUNITY the region, representing 27
OUTREACH chapters. The service component
T he Hampton Roads consisted of attendees and
Community will never be chapters bringing new and gently
the same after the indelible used books and chapters along with
footprint that the Marion Stubbs Thomas National
MARvelous Mid-Atlantic Leadership Fellows bringing child
Region has left from the booster seats. Thanks to a
2022 Teen Leadership generous grant of $15,000.00 from
Conference that headlined the Jack and Jill of America
the marquee of the Foundation, Incorporated we were
Hampton Roads able to facilitate two on-site
Convention Center with community service projects that
“Black to the Future”. allowed us to make an expansive
reach into the community.
The Charming Chesapeake As of 2019, statistical data shows that 57% of families in
and High-Flying Hampton the Hampton Roads area live below the national poverty
Chapters along with the guidelines and as such there is a more substantial family
Regional Executive Team homelessness rate. In meeting this need, our teens
executed the region’s first implemented the vision of Past Regional Teen Foundation
in-person Teen Leadership Chair (IPRTFC) Bryce Lindsay’s MAR C.A.R.E. (C-
Conference since 2019. Community A-Advocates R-Reaching E-Everyone) plan and
COVID slowed us, but did packed 1000 MAR C.A.R.E. Kits. This project was
not stop us and from June completed by our 9th, 10th and 11th grade teens. The
30-July 3, 2022 we showed individual recipients will receive a reusable bag for their
the The Hampton Roads personal items and the bags were packed with a toothbrush
Community that we are “Fit, conducive for travel with a sanitized closure, toothpaste,
Focused and Ready to socks, hand sanitizer, face masks, individual packs of
Serve!” sanitation wipes, nail clippers and a cup of noodles. The kits
were donated to Samaritan House, Avalon and Natasha
Teen Conference is the House to share with the individuals they serve which include
culminating event for our families facing homelessness, victims of human trafficking
programming year and domestic violence.
designed to be a fun-filled
educational experience for
all teens, an opportunity to
serve the local community
and provide a memorable
medium for parents and
graduating seniors to have
a symbolic transition from
childhood to adulthood as
they move on to lives
independent of their family
homes at colleges,
universities, the military and
the workforce.

IMPACT HAMPTON ROADSTHE MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL TEENS

Our graduating seniors paired up into fourteen (14) ItNeDaUmSTsRY >
and each team built a child’s bicycle as they problem-solved
and worked together to make a gift that will change the life of
a child at The Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula
and NewMan Fitness Foundation. The 7th and 8th grade
Teens prepared the books we collected for distribution to the
Mayor’s Book Club of Hampton by cleaning up any markings
in the gently used books then labeling them and the new
books with the donation label of the Mid-Atlantic Region. We
donated 1443 books that will be used to aid in early childhood
literacy so that when children in the community enter school
they will be “Ready Readers and Ready Learners.”
We collected 41 child safety booster seats. This effort was to
help promote the safe transport of children who are beyond
the age/size for a car seat, but not old enough to be front seat
passengers. This collection and distribution was in
collaboration with our Region’s Marion Stubbs Thomas
National Leadership Fellows whose goal was to advance
child safety in our region. This effort was the culmination of
their educational component and presentation at our 2022
Children’s Cluster. The booster seats were gifted to Healthy
Families and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

THANK YOU
A special thanks to
Edisto Dental Associates
in Orangeburg, SC,
owned by Charleston
Chapter Dad, Dr. Clifford
Jordan & Comprehensive
Dentistry located in
Charleston, SC owned by
Dr. James Lesch for their
sponsorship donations of
toothbrushes and
toothpaste for our MAR
C.A.R.E. kits.

12

Provisional
Group
Highlights

14

GREATER CHAPEL HILL AREA
PROVISIONAL GROUP NEWSLETTER

April 2022

OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP!

President: Cheryl Giscombe THE 5 THRUSTS
Vice President: Natasha Young EDUCATION
Program Director: Tinesha Smith
Program Coordinator: Samonia Barrett CULTURAL
Recording Secretary: Meriel Parker CIVIC
Corresponding Secretary: Apryle Daye
Treasurer: Benita Hall SOCIAL/RECREATIONA
Financial Secretary: Pamela Hester L
Editor: Dwella Nelson
Parlaimentarian/Historian: Ella Smith HEALTH
Chaplain: Ruthie Lyle
Sergeant-at-Arms: Monica Newkirk
Protocol Chair: Rashaunte Mitchell

We are Community. 15

GREATER CHAPEL HILL AREA
PROVISIONAL GROUP NEWSLETTER

April 2022

WE HAVE A HEART TO SERVE
AND SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN AS

THEY SERVE OTHERS.

GREATER CHAPEL HILL AREA
PROVISIONAL GROUP NEWSLETTER

April 2022

WE HAVE A HEART TO SERVE
AND SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN AS

THEY SERVE OTHERS.

17

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19

Chapter
Highlights

Chapter Highlights

Durham Chapter

1 in 44:
Understanding and
Embracing the
Autism Community

March 26, 2022 -- This

presentation provided

information about autism

spectrum disorder, including

an overview of core features

and common presentations in

individuals as well as relevant

statistics and information

about the prevalence of autism

in our communities. This informational session sought to

further understand autism and presented a forum and safe

space for asking questions, sharing experiences, and

generating ideas together. An overview of basic strategies for

providing accommodation and support was introduced, with

an emphasis on promoting inclusion and the celebration of

neurodiversity in our communities.

Contact Chair Tracey Hawkins of the Durham Chapter with any

questions at [email protected].

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Chapter Highlights

Gastonia-Piedmont Chapter

Celebrating
Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.

March 10, 2022 -- Gastonia-Piedmont Chapter celebrated

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with various activities across the

chapter. Moms Abbie Overton and Neci Adams had our

youngest age group, Bobcats, Cubs and Cougars, learn

about the civil rights era and what Dr. King did for African

Americans by standing up for our rights. Jack and Jill Teens

visited the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte and

attended an exhibit that displayed the importance of Art &

Letters in their daily lives. This event was hosted by Moms

Lisa Reynolds and Carla Simon. In February, Mom Cecile

Miller-Murray had our youngest age group read a book

written by a Black author (ex: Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry)

and briefly discuss the plot. They then had an opportunity

to come up with their own storyline. 22

Chapter Highlights

Spartanburg Chapter

Spectacular
Spartanburg
NAACP’s 7th
Annual Black
History Quiz Bowl

February 26, 2022 -- The Five Star Spectacular Spartanburg

Chapter won 2nd place in the Spartanburg Branch of the

NAACP’s 7th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl on Saturday,

February 26th. This event is held annually in partnership

with the University of South Carolina-Upstate’s Center for

African American Studies. This year’s event was in person

for participating teams with virtual streaming on Facebook

live. Our Teens and Jr. Teens grade groups have been

studying Black History facts and prepared a poster for

presentation on a local community icon. Our teens are

learning about the many contributions people of color have

made to American history. We hope they will continue to

learn and take pride in our history and culture. This activity

supports the Jack and Jill of America thrusts of: Educational,

Leadership, and Cultural.

23

Chapter Highlights

Eastern NC Chapter

Birds of a Feather

April 2, 2022 -- On May 25,
2020, the "Central Park
birdwatching incident,"
occurred. Many will
remember the video
depicting Amy Cooper, a
white woman walking her

dog, falsely reporting Christian Cooper, a black birdwatcher, of

threatening her and her dog. Since then, black birders

(birdwatching enthusiasts) have increased in numbers. In

response, on Saturday, April 2nd, our preschool-2nd graders

joined the charge by becoming "Birds of a Feather" at the Old

Waynesborough Park in Goldsboro, NC. They began with a

book reading, learning about birds, their natural habitats, and

the types of birds that are native to the park. They were each

equipped with binoculars and a folder to keep track of their

sightings. They made tally marks for each bird sighting and

counted them up. Along the trails, they enjoyed climbing trees

and running through fields. After ending with a snack and

playtime, our nature enthusiasts were ready for their next

adventure. 24

Chapter Highlights

Greensboro, NC Chapter

Welcoming our
new Families
into the
Greensboro
Chapter

April 23, 2022 -- The Initiation Ceremony for new Mother's was

held at Starmount Country Club. The Greensboro, NC Chapter

of Jack and Jill, installed 14 new Mother's. It was a morning of

food, fun and fellowship. This group of Mother's and their

children attended grade group activities as well as chapter

events prior to becoming members. We look forward to

welcoming them as well as their spouses and children. Later

that evening, our newly installed Mother's along with spouses

and guests attended our Annual Kentucky Derby Event. The

Derby was held at Greensboro Country Club. We enjoyed an

evening of big hats, music, food and drinks to celebrate the

occasion. On May 21, 2022, to close out a great year we met at

Bourbon Bowl in Greensboro. The Mother's and Father's

enjoyed bowling, food and bourbon amongst other drinks.

The Membership and Fund Raising Committee's did a great

job organizing these wonderful events. 25

Chapter Highlights

Chesapeake, VA Chapter

The Chesapeake Chapter Welcomes New Moms

April 23, 2022 -- We welcomed Melissa Aaron, Pershelle

Cambrell, Monique Crabb M.D., Sashonna Leak, Brandy

VanHorne, and April Washington into the Charming

Chesapeake Chapter in an intimate, virtual initiation

ceremony on April 23, 2022. We are very excited about the

amazing things each of these ladies will do to continue our

quest to light the pathway of our children. So, again, we are

thrilled to welcome these six extraordinary ladies into our

chapter and the organization. 26

Chapter Highlights
Gastonia-Piedmont Chapter

Celebrating our Gastonia-Piedmont
Black Families

27

Chapter Highlights

Gastonia-Piedmont Chapter

May 15, 2022 -- Our chapter ended the year celebrating
our families, fathers and graduating seniors! We
celebrated Black Family Day in-person at The Warlick
YMCA in Gastonia, NC. Our fabulous mother’s Kim
Lindstrom, Konika Bell, Kristi Thorne, Twana Burris-Alcide,
Maya Feemster-Jones, Trenise Stukes, Ja’Nate Holland,
Abbie Overton, Annette Sido planned an unforgettable
event. Families took memorable pictures in a photo
booth,enjoyed challenging each other in card games,
dancing and basketball. Ate delicious food and cooled
down with tasty snow cones from food truck vendors Diva
Dolls Old Fashioned Hot Dogs and More and Kona Ice of
Gaston County. President Konika Bell congratulated our
graduating seniors (Jaden Eubanks ,Haley Daniel, Lauren
Elisabeth Tolbert) and recognized our fathers for their
support. Our Jack, Alex Echevarria - age 11, was recognized
for designing our Black Family Day shirt. We are grateful to
have the opportunity to reconnect with each other and
look forward to 2022-2023 year!

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Chapter Highlights

Spartanburg Chapter

Five Star Spectacular Spartanburg! Here
We Grow Again!!

May 15, 2022 -- The Five Star Spectacular Spartanburg
Chapter held new mother initiations on Sunday, May 15th,
2022, at Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church. The
chapter is elated to report 8 new mother initiates have
afforded us significant growth. Welcome and
Congratulations to Brittany Boyd, Schuylar Carson-Jackson,
Scartisha “Tish” Davis, Amber Geathers, Lesley Ofori, Erica
Smith, Nefertari Smith, and Betty Zikusooka. Our Newly
elected Executive Board and Teen Chapter Officer
Installations also took place at 4:30PM and 5:30PM,
respectively. Congratulations to the following Executive
Board Members: President, Chrissundra Proctor Smith; Vice
President, Anissa Milbourne; Programming Director, Dr.
Ashley Barnes-Mitchell; Treasurer, Ashley Wilburn; Financial
Secretary, Dr. Sherri Gillison; Recording Secretary, DaLynn
Hare; Corresponding Secretary, Tara Rice; and Editor, Kayla
Hines-Huggins. Our new Teen chapter officers are Teen
President, Samiah Lewis; Teen Vice President, Janelle
Brown; Teen Treasurer, Donovan Rumble; Secretary,
Charlotte Gardner; Parliamentarian, Joi Foster; Foundation
Chair, Peyton Jones; and Chaplain, Ayasani Collins.

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Chapter Highlights
Spartanburg Chapter

30

Chapter Highlights
Columbia Chapter

MAR Disney Meet and Greet at Black Expo

May 21, 2022 -- The Captivating Columbia Chapter
Jacks and Jills participated in the Mid-Atlantic Region's
Disney Celebrity Meet and Greet. The children and
parents enjoyed a private meet and greet with actors
Issac Ryan Brown, Christian J. Simon, and Davis Mason.
The actors engaged the Jacks and Jills in a brief panel
discussion on balancing life in front of the cameras.
The Disney Meet and Greet was a part of the annual
Black Expo in Columbia, South Carolina.

31

Mother
Spotlights

Mother Highlights

Raleigh-Wake Chapter

Celebrating Leading Women in
Higher Education

February 28, 2022 -- Dr. Joy Gaston Gayles of the Raleigh-
Wake Chapter, was recognized in diverseducation.com, an
online publication. Celebrating Leading Women in Higher
Education: Diverse Presents of 25 Women. The article
noted Diverse presents of 25 innovative and dynamic
women leaders who are paving the way for others in
higher ed.

See full article here. 33

Mother Highlights

Durham Chapter

Mom Tracey Hawkins: Rising to the Challenge

Mom Tracey Hawkins (Durham, NC Chapter & Co-Chair of the We
Are One Committee) and family are sharing their autism story in
a national advertising campaign. Tracey recently created an Apple
Watch App, Thrive. The Thrive App was inspired by her two
autistic sons, James Preston and Adam. It is designed to help
individuals with autism, ADD, executive dysfunction, etc. organize
and structure their day and promote emotion regulation all
within one app!

Click the links below to view the campaign, learn more about
Mom Tracey and the Thrive App, and the outstanding autism
advocacy that is currently featured on CNN and HLN.

Watch the Interview | Learn about the Thrive App 34

Teen
Spotlights

Teen Highlights
Greater Fredericksburg Chapter

Sibling Duo!

April 9, 2022 -- Sibling duo
Teens Talia and Elijah
Thomas of the Greater
Fredericksburg Chapter
were recognized as Mr and
Miss Top Teen of America,
Inc of Stafford County VA.
Teen Talia was also
honored as 2nd place
winner Outstanding Teen of
the Year for Area II which
includes DC, MD, and VA.

36

Teen Highlights

Greensboro Chapter

Guildford County Schools Poet Laureates

May 13, 2022 -- The Greensboro
Chapter of Jack & Jill had two teens
selected at the Guilford County
Schools 19th Annual School Poet
Laureate Competition. This year, 11
schools participated in the county
wide contest with close to 100
poems submitted. Our acclaimed
2022 Poet Laureates are Gabrielle
Chisholm, 11th Grade (Northeast
High School) and William Jackson,
10th Grade(The STEM Early College
and NC A&T). They, along with other
winners and finalist, were
recognized on Friday, May 13th
where they also recited original
poems at a poetry reading in front
of family, friends, and community
members.

37

Teen Highlights
Greensboro Chapter

Greensboro Delta Sigma Theta Jabberwock

April 16, 2022 -- The

Greensboro Alumnae

Chapter of Delta Sigma

Theta Sorority, Inc. held it's

Jabberwock event. Chela

Parris was crowned Miss

Jabberwock. Chela is the

daughter of Afi Johnson-

Parris and Steven Parris.

Chela is a student at The

STEM Early College at NC

A&T and will attend

Winthrop University in the

Fall on an academic and

soccer scholarship.

38

JUNE 2022

THANK YOU TO THE REGIONAL TEEN
EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR

OUTSTANDING WORK THIS YEAR!

Want to submit an article for the next
edition of the MAR newsletter?
Click or scan below.




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CONGRATULATIONS JUNE 2022

TO THE 2022-2023

REGIONAL TEEN BOARD

Mid-Atlantic Region 2021-2022