Young Alumni Spotlight: Mahogani Anderson, Class of 2023
We’re so proud to shine the “young alumni” spotlight on Mahogani Anderson, Class of 2023, who is now beginning her journey as an agriculture business major at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Agriculture business, also known as agribusiness, is the farming, management, production, and marketing of agricultural commodities, such as livestock and crops. Mahogani chose the major because she wanted to branch out and try different things—to learn more about the world, our water systems, what we eat, how we grow our food, and the process of food being made and sold.
Mahogani knew she wanted to attend a historically Black college or university (HBCU), and after going through the college process with LINK, she chose Southern because it was a good fit for her and fulfilled her wish to go to school debt-free. Southern is also her mother’s alma mater, so she knew she’d be in good hands there! “I’m an out-of-state freshman with 16 credit hours,” she shared. “I’m proud to say that my high school education and participation in volunteer work is now paying for me to go to school through scholarships.”
Mahogani believes the LINK mock interviews, prep work for the SAT and ACT, and the ongoing preparation for the next school year all prepared her well for college—although being a freshman in college in the South is a bit challenging since she’s from Chicago. “Going to college has been a wake up call,” she admitted. “You are actually living on your own and handling your own business. I joined LINK Unlimited Scholars in my 8th grade summer, and, of course, waking up at 10am was not the way I wanted to start off my summer. However, I didn’t know the impact LINK would have on my future education.”
Here is Mahogani’s advice to current LINK Scholars:
“The dedication and time I put into LINK programs, Saturday Academies, and long summers was worth it, even when I didn’t know it. Of course, as a freshman in high school, you just want to chill and relax, but start there, because that’s where everyone is watching. My freshman year, I tried out and participated in so many things, so I can say, ‘I did it’ or ‘I tried it.’ My sophomore year was virtual, but that didn’t stop LINK from investing in their students and offering tutoring, sending us computers, phones, wifi boxes, and so much more.”
“Taking LINK seriously will count later on because colleges look for involved students, students who know how to network and participate,” she continued. “They look at your service learning hours and what you did to contribute to your community. While in LINK, make sure you take care of yourself and make the most of your high school years, as they do go by fast. Join clubs, try different things, help around the school, join a team. My mother always told me, ‘You are only in high school once. You can never go back once you turn the tassel.’ I have no regrets because I tried it all while I was in high school!”
LINK Alumni: We love knowing where you are and what you’re accomplishing.
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