Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant celebrated 30 years of pageantry and community outreach on Sunday, August 4. In its long-standing lineage, Lisa Ruffin has seen countless young women embark on unique journeys two former LMAA participants who are 2024 high school graduates.
With an array of accomplishments on her belt, Morgan Omordia graduated from Viewpoint School this past spring. Viewpoint School is a K-12 private institution in Calabasas.
Ormordia is a San Fernando Valley native who describes her time at Little Miss African American as motivating and fun. She especially appreciates the performance skills that came from memorizing the poem she was required to memorize and perform. She even explains that this aided in her ability to deliver strong speeches during her time in grade school.
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During her four years in high school,Omordia accumulated a list of achievements including earning the second-highest score in her division at the International Oratory Festival, ranking as the seventh greatest long jumper and third greatest shotputter in her school’s history, and receiving recognition as a STEM Scholar.
She was also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Societies and the Cum Laude Society. In addition, Omordia obtained certifications in CPR, Basic Life Support, and Stop the Bleed.
As she prepares to attend Brown University and study Molecular Biology, Omordia shared insight into her goals for the future.
“I’ve always been fascinated by transmission genetics and developmental biology within the molecular, cellular, and developmental biology fields,” she explained.
“That’s why I’m interested in pursuing a career in reproductive health studies, with a particular focus on becoming an Obstetrician/Gynecologist specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Eventually, I’d love to open my own clinic, where I can provide compassionate care and promote the importance of sexual health.”
Nasreen El-Shabazz is a Victor Valley High School alumnus. El-Shabazz is an Inglewood native who will major in pre-nursing at Grand Canyon University this fall. Her goals include completing medical school and becoming an OB-GYN doctor, after becoming a registered labor and delivery nurse.
Expressing how LMAA helped her to become the young lady that she is today, Omordia responded, “LMAA has impacted me in so many ways including building self-confidence and awareness in who I am and how I identify within my culture.”
Nasreen earned and maintained a plethora of achievements during her experience in high school. Her commendations include being named Miss Black California Talented Teen 2022, serving as Black Student Union president, and selected as an Associated Student Body Spirit Commissioner.
She was also executive treasurer of the Heritage Committee and served two years as a varsity cheerleader.
According to an admirer, “These young women are a testament to Little Miss African American’s commitment to instill confidence, awareness, and pride into their pupils.”
