There are many exceptional students on the campus of Florida A&M University and many are considered leaders among their peers. However, there are those students who rule in the backdrop and eventually get their time to shine.
Darius Graham is now that student in the spotlight.
Graham is a noted finalist for the Florida Leader Magazine’s Student of the Year Award. Out of 147 applicants, Graham is one of 20 people elected for the honor on the criteria of academic achievement, campus and community involvement and financial self-reliance. Graham is the first FAMU student since 1996 and the first black finalist since 2001 up for this award.
Graham, a junior political science student from Charlotte, N.C. was proud of himself when he was named as a finalist.
“I was surprised and elated when I found out I was chosen as a finalist,” Graham said. “I am happy to be a finalist, because I represent for the HBCU’s out here and show that we can be competitive with schools like the University of Miami.”
The 20-year-old maintains a 3.95 GPA and is the attorney general for the Student Government Association. He is also active in many other campus organizations such as the Honor Student Association, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Mock Trial Team.
People around him are also excited about his achievement.
“Darius is an exemplary person. Besides motivating himself to achieve, he motivates his friends,” said Brittany Gadsden, 21, of Columbia, S.C., and a close friend to Graham.
Graham was one who stood out.
“It was extremely difficult narrowing down the finalists, because there are so many qualified applicants,” said Chelsea Greenwood, the interim editor of Florida Leader Magazine. Greenwood said that the choices were based on academic and campus success among the applicants.
“If I don’t win, I will be satisfied and honored to be named as a finalist,” Graham said.
Contact Nyerere Davidson at davidson_nyerere@hotmail.com.