Whitney Olivia Allen honored again for academic achievements

Whiney Olivia Allen's doctor didn't give her much of a chance for excelling when she was born prematurely, weighing 13 ounces, but Allen is proving him wrong.

The Iberville Parish Council last week passed a resolution of recognition for Allen, who not only was graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Science degree in biology from Southern University this summer, but was named “Chief Student Marshall” for the commencement program.

Allen, the daughter of Vantrice Ellis and Harold Brooks Jr., was the  2007 valedictorian at White Castle High. At Southern, she was a student of the Delores Margaret Richard Spikes Honor College, and a member of the Honors Student Association, Beta Kappa Chi and the university's Interdenominational Gospel Choir.

Allen was not available to receive the honor from the Parish Council last week (her mother accepted it for her) because she already has started classes at Louisiana State University's Health Services Center in New Orleans, where she is pursuing a master's degree in health policy and system's management.

Earlier in the month, the Iberville Parish School Board also honored Allen for her accomplishments.