1688¿ª½±Íø

"Driven," holistic," "model," "servant," "action oriented," "champion of diversity," "dedicated," and "outstanding" are some of the words University of North Georgia (1688¿ª½±Íø) faculty and staff used to describe their nominees for the .

The , a shared-interest group of the university's , selected 10 female student leaders out of 55 nominations for the recognition this year.

"As student-leaders, these women inspire and guide others in their collegiate extracurricular activities, which gives them a special confidence that will help them achieve success in their professional careers," said Gabrielle Barr Lang, '83, chairwoman of Women of 1688¿ª½±Íø. "And, as 1688¿ª½±Íø is deep in its tradition of producing leaders, we are proud to empower female students annually with this leadership award."

The recipients were:

• Kaleigh Adams, a senior pursuing a degree in with a reading endorsement. She is from Jefferson, Georgia.
• Anna Caitlyn Anderson, a senior pursuing a degree in . She is from Gainesville, Georgia.
• Emma Anderson, a senior pursuing a degree in biology with a concentration in pre-pharmacy. She is from Gainesville, Georgia.
• Catlin Corrales, a senior pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis. She is from Athens, Georgia.
• Alison Gaynor, a senior pursuing a degree in and a member of the Corps of Cadets. She is from Dallas, Georgia.
• Taylor Malasek, a senior pursuing a degree in biology. She is from Peachtree City, Georgia.
• Madison Rodriguez, a senior pursuing a degree in . She is from Commerce, Georgia.
• Vaishali Jorge, a senior pursuing a degree in kinesiology and a member of the women's tennis team. She is from London, England.
• Eva Sykes, a senior pursuing a degree in kinesiology and a member of the Corps of Cadets. She is from Columbus, Georgia.
• Zaria Whitehead, a senior pursuing a degree in biology and a member of the Corps of Cadets. She is from Perry, Georgia.

Whitehead said she was shocked to be recognized.

"There are so many female student leaders that I see around me on campus," said the 23-year-old. "Overall, this award boosts other women in the corps to become leaders. This is a significant reward, because it means you are setting the example for the rest of the students who come behind you."

Adams, who is a resident assistant on 1688¿ª½±Íø's Dahlonega Campus, said she didn't realize faculty and staff members had noticed her hard work.

"I've always felt like I was the quiet person who goes around silently and does what needs to be done. Then I do a little extra, because I like to go above and beyond," she said. "To be recognized by this program before I am about to graduate is really exciting."

Since 2017, the Women of 1688¿ª½±Íø have honored more than 60 female student-leaders during an annual luncheon held the first weekend in March, which is the start of Women's History Month. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the luncheon was not held this year. Instead, each student leader was presented her certificate and gift in a face-to-face visit with Lang at 1688¿ª½±Íø's Alumni House.

"This year's presentation was more of an intimate setting where these young ladies felt at ease," Lang said, who asked these students questions about their post-graduation plans.