By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
CHOCOWINITY — Southside High School’s Kadijah Jordan is what one might call a well-rounded teenager.
She has immersed herself in life, taking part in several school projects and becoming active in her church. Her qualities as a good citizen captured the attention of the SHS staff.
“If citizenship is merely the state of ‘belonging’ to a place by virtue of being born there or living there for long enough, then we all are good citizens,” said SHS history teacher Dwayne White. “On the other hand, if citizenship is defined by participation in one’s community, taking pride in it and trying to better it, then Kadijah is an outstanding citizen. She seems to be involved in a little bit of everything.”
That’s putting it mildly. Jordan is active with the Key Club, a service organization tied with the Kiwanis Club of Washington. She’s run track for two years, with the letter to prove it. She serves as manager of the Seahawks’ volleyball team. Interested in music, she has played flute in the school band for two years.
“I also videotape the basketball team during games,” she said. “That gives them the opportunity to see themselves in action.”
Jordan, a junior, has long made it a habit to be an active student. While attending S.W. Snowden School in Aurora, she played volleyball and was a cheerleader.
“She is definitely not one of those students that join different clubs just to have her picture in the yearbook a number of times,” White said. “With her energy level, she probably is unable to just sit back and watch even if she wanted to, but for whatever reason she makes her presence known and her absence is felt even more keenly.”
The 16-year-old daughter of Kim Hill of Aurora, Jordan was raised in St. Stephen’s Missionary Baptist Church. She regularly attends worship services there, as does her younger sister, Anasiah.
Jordan said she is particularly close with her mother, the person she most admires.
“She is very independent and she knows what she wants,” Jordan said of her mother. “She will give her all for my sister and me. And she’s dependable.”
With such a happy home life, it’s easy to see why Jordan lets that carry over into her school life. She said she’s happy at Southside High School, as well.
“There are a lot of opportunities at this school. I feel like you can do a lot here,” she said. “It’s not all about fun and games; it’s about getting your work done.”
When she has down time from school, she enjoys spending time with her friends, playing the flute and dancing.
Jordan also has some advice for her sister and other younger students.
“Take school as important as it is and try not to mess up or play around,” she said. “It’s your future.”
As for her future, Jordan is looking ahead to life after high-school graduation. She wants to attend North Carolina A&T State University or East Carolina University.
“I want to be a pediatric nurse because I love kids,” she said.
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All about Kadijah Jordan …
*Grade and school: junior, Southside High School.
*Birthday: Oct. 12.
*Favorite subjects: English and African American studies.
*Favorite book: “I like the Lemony Snicket series and Harry Potter.”
*Favorite movie: “Love and Basketball.”
*Favorite TV show: “The Game.”
*Dream job: Actor or singer.
*If she could spend one day with anyone in history, it would be: “President Obama. I just want to know what it is like being president with all the stress.”
*Favorite food: “I have a lot of favorite foods — lasagna, mashed potatoes, ice cream, sugar cookies.”
*Favorite entertainer: Alicia Keys.
*Dream vacation: Cancun, Mexico.
*Secret wish: “I would love to see everybody being happy with their parents, just being happy.”