Ms. Chelcee Washington was recently crowned as Miss Black Homestead Talented Teen USA 2011 and will be representing Homestead when she competes for the state title of Miss Black Florida Talented Teen USA 2011 this September. The Miss Black U.S.A. Pageant and Scholarship Foundation, Inc., coordinators of this event, are a community-driven organization committed to providing educational opportunities to outstanding young women of color and recognizing scholastic achievement.
Chelcee is an outstanding young role model who believes in education and giving back to the community. She is an 11th grade student who has been attending Miami Palmetto Senior High School for the last two years. This Fall, she will be enrolled in the School for Advanced Studies program at Miami-Dade Community College, Homestead Campus and plans to major in Psychiatry. An ambitious and motivated student, she has been taking advanced placement classes and currently has a grade point average of 4.5.
Chelcee is not only hitting the books hard, but is also a well-rounded student that participates in a variety of extracurricular activities. While attending Miami Palmetto Sr. High, she was actively involved in the First Priority Bible Club and was a member of the Palmetto Panthers JV cheerleading squad. She was also a member of the Women of Tomorrow (WOT) club of Palmetto. Her hobbies include cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, and singing; and she enjoys spending time with her friends after school and on the weekends. Outside of school, Chelcee is a member of the National Achievers Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, Pearl Essence Social Club, and New Visions for South Dade, Inc. This busy teen also makes time to give back to her community by volunteering. She also donates her time to the American Girls’ Reading Book Club of Leisure City K-8 Center sponsored by her mother Cherylise Washington and also volunteers at the Homestead Soup Kitchen, The Palace Nursing Home, and the Girls Scouts of America.
Chelcee comes from a family with deep roots within Homestead and at an early age learned the importance of giving back. Both of her maternal grandparents, Johnnie Ruth and the late Willie B. Brown, were pioneers and community activists for the Southwest Community of Homestead. Mr. Brown initiated and coordinated the development of the Homestead/Florida City Neighborhood Center and the construction of the Phichol Williams Community Center. He also formed the Haitian, Hispanic, African American Coalition and founded both the Annual African Heritage Festival and the Concerned Citizens Progressive Action. Mrs. Brown continues to volunteer through her local church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, to help the homeless and those in need, especially during the holidays.
Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman wanted to congratulate this bright young lady for all of the accomplishments she has achieved both in and outside of the classroom. Mayor Bateman stated, “Miss Washington is an inspiration to those around her. The City supports her as she pursues this endeavor and we hope that Chelcee brings home the crown. The City of Homestead is fortunate to be represented by such an outstanding young woman.”
If you are interested in making a contribution or sponsoring her participation in this event, please contact TEAM CHELCEE at 305-253-2087.
