Not the average 15-year-old

The average fifteen year old female–she’s in the 10th grade; maybe she’s running for homecoming court; she could even be on her high school track team…Or just maybe, she’s strolling the sidewalks of a college campus! Shalonda Ingram began fall classes this semester with a cumulative GPA of 4.3 (3.98 without honors credits). She’s a freshmen majoring in biology, and she’s apart of the high-stepping WSSU marching band.She is a native of Winston-Salem and a graduate of Parkland High school. Ingram never saw the 5th or 8th grade because she skipped both grades. Ingram became a member of the WSSU family, through the band. While in high school, Ingram felt a strong attraction to the WSSU band. She attended WSSU’s homecomings .”I was always on WSSU’s campus,” she said. She said that she enjoyed watching and listening to the university’s marching band and she also was apart of her high school’s band. Ingram has been beating the drums for five years and years ago became good friends with director of the band, Emory Jones.”I’m proud of her…she’s a hard worker,” said Jones. He added, “She’s doing extremely well…I’m glad she’s here.” Yes, Ingram is here — at Winston-Salem State University — and is proud to be a Ram. This is after scholarship offers to numerous prominent schools including Georgetown University and Georgia Tech. Although Ingram was being heavily recruited by many colleges and universities, she admits that she (and her family) wanted her to stay closer to home. “I wanted to go to an HBCU,” she said. The fact that Ingram’s mother, father, grandma, god sister, and brother all attended – or attend – WSSU, also played a major role in her decision. Most people who may see her roaming campus do not even know that she is only 15, but those who do know, have had a warm reaction to her. “It’s fun, they treat me like I’m normal,” she said. Ingram’s English teacher, Dr. Donald Jenkins, was one of those do didn’t know.”I didn’t even know she was only 15; I expect good things out of her though.” Similar reactions were displayed through her other professors expressions once they were made aware. Chris Jennings, sophomore, Music Education major, is the drum major for the university marching band and claims that no one suspects she is so young, because she doesn’t act in that manner.”She acts mature for her age…she’s always trying to do better,” he said.Jennings was introduced to Ingram months before school began and said his first impression was, “She’s so sweet.” Jennings spoke about how Ingram fractured her arm in five places and, “She still was in practice everyday…she didn’t miss a day,” he said. Jennings thinks that Ingram is an inspiration to the band. “The people on the band feed on that…they look at it like she’s small, she has the bone disease, and she’s still doin’ it!”The bone disease or sickness that Jennings is speaking of goes by the name of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. “It’s a brittle bone condition where bones break very easily,” Ingram said. Ingram has not let the disease, which causes her bones to break easily, to keep her from doing what she wants to do. Tisha Samuels, another member of the drumline, agrees with Jennings. “That just goes to show how far your mind can go…she’s proof.” Ingram takes praise about her perseverance and high grades in stride.”I’m not smart…I just apply myself.”