CROP Alumni

Riva Banks-Watson

Riva started with TSIC/CROP while a freshman at Greensboro High School (now West Gadsden High School). She graduated high school and enrolled at TCC in the Fall of 2003. After completion of her Associates of Arts degree, Riva transferred to University of South Florida. There, she earned a BA degree in Criminology in 2007, maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

Sha'Quanna Johnson

Sha’Quanna began her participation in TCC’s TSIC/CROP program as a 10th grader in the fall of 2001 and continued in the program through high school graduation. Sha’Quanna graduated from East Gadsden High School in May of 2004, and joined the National Guard, completing training in the fall of 2004. She entered Bethune-Cookman College in the spring semester of 2005 and maintained a GPA higher than 3.0 throughout the span of her college career! This past fall, Sha’Quanna received her BA in Speech Communication (Interdisciplinary Studies) with a concentration in Business Management. She now runs her own motivational speaking company targeted at helping at-risk students realize their dreams.

Rebeka Lambright

Rebeka received her CROP scholarship in 1996 while a student Nims Middle School. Following her graduation from Rickards High School, Rebeka enrolled in Tallahassee Community College pursuing her Associates of the Arts degree. While a student at TCC, Rebeka maintained a 3.7 grade point average, and graduated with honors, all the while, she continued to be a part of the TCC Dance Group. Rebeka transferred to Florida State University in the Fall of 2003, and majored in Engineering. Every semester, she consistently made the Dean’s List, getting grade point averages beyond a 3.0 each semester. In only her first attempt, Rebeka passed the engineering exam when it the average student usually takes it two or more times. Since graduation, Rebeka has accepted a job with a prestigious oil firm, and will now be responsible for locating where the company can build oilrigs and drill.

Ashley Roberts

Ashley began her TSIC/CROP career as an 8th grader at Wakulla Middle School. She enrolled at TCC where Ashley was a staff writer for the TCC Talon Newspaper. After receiving her AA December 2002, Ashley transferred to Florida A&M University. While at FAMU, she interned at WCTV Eyewitness News in Tallahassee in the summer of 2003. Shortly after, she was hired as an associate producer, which eventually turned into a weekend reporting position. Ashley also did some producing, reporting, and anchoring for FAMU's radio station, 90.5, the Flava Station. In December 2004, Ashley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida A & M University with a broadcast journalism degree and a minor in business management. Ashley started her broadcast career at WMBB-TV in Panama City, FL as a general assignment reporter. Ashley had the opportunity to cover some of the biggest stories of her career including hurricanes, shark attacks and the controversial Florida boot camp death of 14 year-old Martin Lee Anderson.

In February 2007, Ashley left Panama City bound for Virginia. Currently, she serves as the New River Valley reporter for WSLS-10 in Roanoke, VA. She was one of the first television reporters on the scene at the Virginia Tech shootings, and in the days following interviewed victims’ families and the people who lived through the mass shooting, including one student who was forced to jump from a second floor window to save her own life.

Ashley considers herself lucky to report on stories that affect and make a difference in people’s lives. According to Ashley, “Every day that I goes to work, I get the great opportunity to meet someone [and learn] something new. My dream of being a news reporter started when I was in the 6th grade. Thanks to the College Reach-Out Program giving me the opportunity to attend Tallahassee Community College and FAMU, my dream has come true and this is only the beginning.”

Shabreka Walden

Shabreka started the TCC TSIC/CROP program as a 6th grader in the fall of 1996. She participated in programming until graduation from Godby High School in May of 2003. Shabreka enrolled at TCC upon graduation from Godby and earned her Associate of Arts Degree from TCC in December of 2005. Shabreka then transferred to the University of South Florida to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Shabreka earned her BS in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing in December of 2008.

James Weed

James was an 8th grade TCC TSIC/CROP student in the fall of 1999 and continued in the program until high school graduation. After earning TCC dual enrollment credit as a high school student, James entered TCC fulltime upon graduation from Godby High School in May of 2003. He earned his Associate of Arts Degree from TCC in June of 2006, and transferred to FSU for his major coursework in Economics. James earned his BS in Economics in April of 2008. You may also know James as a local radio personality. He serves as a resident DJ for 104.9 FM under the name ‘Wicked Wes’. James impressed everyone with his ability to juggle work and school commitments. While attending both TCC and FSU, James served as a DJ and worked a second job to assist with expenses!