Philippa Makoni Lahai-Swaray - Sierra Leone
The daughter of Philip Swaray and Zakiatu Maju-Swaray, I am the oldest of six and the first grandchild of Florence and Humphrey Swaray, the third of Alhaji Chernor and Haja Sidratu Maju. My African heritage and up-bringing have been the foundation for my morals, values and success so far. My traditional up-bringing has had a positive impact on how I apply myself to both school and everyday situations and has, through everything, kept me grounded. I appreciate and am often in awe of, the strength and support that my family has given me.
I was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, but spent most of my younger years in London England. I attended Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College where I excelled in Music, English, Science, German and French and discovered my love for track and field. Within five (5) years of attending HAHC I was ranked one of London's Top School Athletes and had also become an avid cross country runner. I won many championships, ultimately set several school records and attained a National Record of Achievement for my accomplishments in sports. It was not too long after this that my family and I moved to the USA.
We settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where I attended Stephenson High School. There, I became an active member of the student body and also a recognized state athlete. I graduated class of 2003 and commenced my collegiate education at Alabama State University, with a concentration in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. I was member of the ASU Track and Field team, and, during the annual Crowning of the Queen's ceremony was honored to be crowned Miss Simpson Hall. With this title I was able to put together forums tailored to the university's young female population. While some were specifically geared towards building self-respect and developing (and maintaining) self-motivation, all were designed to provide us, as young ladies, with support on our journeys into womanhood.
I became a member of the International Student Association where I planned events and trips to showcase other cultures. While attending ASU, I spent much of my free time volunteering and mentoring youth and students in the Montgomery area. On the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott I was proud, as a young Black woman, to be a volunteer escort and guide to the many Civil Rights activists who were the special guests of the university as it commemorated this remarkable time in Black and US history.
I was invited to become a member of a Women's Leadership Program and to host other social forums within the university that addressed community and world issues. This gave me an opportunity to perfect my public speaking and presentation skills and to also see the overwhelming need for a progressive generation of leaders and great thinkers.
Although my time at ASU was short, only one year, it had given me the foundation that I needed to become a leader amongst my peers. In the spring of 2006, I transferred to East Tennessee State University on a full scholarship in Track and Field - being a member of the Buccaneer Track and Field team had always been a dream of mine and I was ready to live out that dream when tragedy struck.
In March of 2006, shortly after arriving at East Tennessee State, I was involved in an automobile accident. I survived with two broken legs and a shattered left ankle. My recovery was a challenge, mentally and physically. For a year and a half I was in Physical Therapy learning how to walk again and then working on regaining full motion in my left ankle. My accident was life changing! It tested not only my faith, but also my willingness to become a testimony to others. I made a decision to keep on trusting in God, and was determined to be a blessing to as many people as I could by having a positive and grateful attitude, overcoming this temporary setback with dignity, grace and a cheerful spirit, and, by keeping my commitment to serve my community. Because of these decisions, my tenacity, the help of some great professionals, the support of my family and friends, and, the Grace of God, I now have full range of motion in both legs and ankles!
After the accident I was unable to continue running, but had another talent that I had nurtured and loved but which had taken a backseat to athletics – singing. Through an amazing series of events and some talent I was able get a scholarship into the East Tennessee State Gospel Choir.
Other things that I enjoy giving my time to are: volunteering with children ages 3-5 at Atlanta International Montessori School, having the opportunity to be a part of The President's Committee on Culture and Diversity (ETSU), The Diversity Committee (ETSU), being Vice-President of The Black Affairs Association (ETSU), President of the East Tennessee State Gospel Choir (ETSU), and also, working as an event planner to show case both African and Urban clothing through my business venture.
After graduating from ESTU, I plan on attending Law School, hopefully, at Emory University and concentrating on International Corporate Law. With this I hope to be able to give back to my current community and also to my country of origin, Sierra Leone. I am passionate about being socially conscious and encouraging others, especially in my generation and younger, to be also, because I firmly believe that social awareness and community involvement are the roots of change. They give a sense of purpose and are part of the answer to the hopelessness and apathy of my generation.
I have always been encouraged, and somewhere along the way, desired, to be a role model - at home as the eldest of all my siblings and most of my cousins, as an active participant in whichever community I am a part of, to the person whom I may encounter for a short moment, and, to the stranger observing me from a distance. By becoming Miss Africa USA I hope to continue to fulfill this desire by proudly representing the African Diaspora. I am proud of my African heritage, where love, hard work and respect for elders are esteemed, and, to be living in the United States of America where I may wholeheartedly engage in ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. As Miss Africa USA I hope to be an accurate portrayal of the merging of the best of these two great cultures.
