Claflin17 looks to be campus trendsetters

The junior class identifies itself as “Claflin17.”
With more than 350 students, the class is filled with honor students, athletes, internship/scholarship recipients, community servers and campus leaders.
“We are changing the game,” said junior class Vice President Taylor Reynolds. The 2015 Valentine Gala hosted by Claflin17 is an example. The class plans to make it an annual event.
“I am serving the campus as well as my class,” Student Activities Board President Shakeal Paul said. “I love my class. We’re pretty tight. I want us to be more of a family.”
Two of Claflin’s leading men, SGA President Andy Michel and Mr. Claflin Ar’Darius Stewart, are part of the Claflin17 family. Michel said the class is made up of campus trendsetters.
In a recent junior class meeting, the two officials made announcements about the upcoming semester:
-          The class fundraising goal is again $1,000.
-          The senior trip will be to Miami (further details coming).
-          Fourth Sundays are junior chapel days.
-          A Greek switch-off event is scheduled for October, organized by Mr. Junior RaShodd A. Howze.
-          Miss Junior Kimberley Elliot has events forthcoming.
Claflin17 is being recognized for hard work and contributions on and off Claflin’s campus. Examples include:
-          Bria Bronston, volleyball player, earned First Team All-Conference two years in a row. She was named the team’s Offense Player of the Year last year and is now the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year.
-          Lashawnda Warren is a part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
-          Marshae Smith is the Student Government Association corresponding secretary and the CEO of “We Are Queens,” a mentoring and community service program. She also completed a summer internship at the MetLife headquarters in Charlotte, N.C.
-          Xavier Black, junior class president, completed a summer internship at USA School of Medicine in Greenville through the MedEx Academy.
-          Kierra Carter, cheerleader and mentor, is the current Miss Florence.
-          Malahah Waller is the SGA chief of staff.
-          Vincent Sanders is the SGA vice president.
-          Joyce Brown, Indiya Simpson and Amari Battiste completed summer research internships with the STEM Department at Claflin.
Students from other classes have taken notice of the Claflin17.
“Greatly unified,” sophomore class President Dominique W. Riggins said of the juniors.
“They are so cool!” sophomore Youshi Kirkland said.
“Very ambitious,” senior and Miss Homecoming LaQueena Williams said.
“Good class, full of potential, full of ambition,” said LaQuentin Jenkins, senior C/O 2015.
“Even though they are not my class, they’re really motivational and inspirational. I was their orientation leader at one point and now I am so proud!” senior and Miss UNCF Rachel Johnson said.
“Claflin17 students are very passionate about their majors,” said Brandon Gallman, C/O ’18.