The Sophisticated Ladies Club Hopes to Bring Growth to Students
J. Ellis
Staff Reporter
Upperclassmen: have you lost your way? Freshmen: haven’t quite found your niche? If your answer to either or both of these questions is “yes,” then maybe you should consider joining “Sophisticated Ladies.”
The idea for “Sophisticated Ladies” came to sophomore Kwei Maduot-Parek during this past summer and initially she received a lot of backlash from students who told her it was not going to happen due to people’s lack of commitment. However, Maduot-Parek has already proved her doubters wrong with over 25 students showing interest and she can only hope that the number continues to grow. One thing that she does stress is the importance of student involvement, saying, “One person can’t make it happen.”
Dr. Deborah Johnson-Ross, faculty advisor of the group, is very optimistic about the impact that “Sophisticated Ladies” will have on the McDaniel campus. “It will bring students together in a unified force and it will bring the community together. It will make [ourselves] better in terms of skills to be prepared as college students and to leave this community.”
The mission is to make students, especially incoming freshmen, more well-rounded individuals by the time they depart from McDaniel College in the next four years. Students will learn to broaden their horizons on field trips to Broadway, a faculty/student talent show, and an “African-themed” fashion show. But as the saying goes: “To whom much is given, much is required.” Students will learn to give to those less fortunate. As an active member of “Sophisticated Ladies,” one must fulfill community service at either the local Boys and Girls Club or the Office of Multicultural Service at least one day per week.
When asked what she would personally like to see “Sophisticated Ladies” accomplish, Maduot-Parek responded, “To promote unity among college students, as well as diversity, academic achievement…to become more sophisticated”.
If you are interested in becoming a member of “Sophisticated Ladies” or have any questions, please feel free to contact President Kwei Maduot-Parek at ktm003@mcdaniel.edu , Secretary Rita Kabaso at rkk002@mcdaniel.edu , or Treasurer Musa Imakando at mi002@mcdaniel.edu . Meetings are held every other Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Garden Apartment Building 161, Apt. 201.
Information in this article also contributed by Megan Robinson.
