Talladega College
“Aspire not to make a living but to make a difference.” Greetings and humble salutations I am Patria Gatson, hailing all the way from the magical city of Birmingham Alabama, where I was brought up within a substantial loving home. Raised by my single mother Shannon Gatson, I was exposed at an early age the importance of humble beginnings and resilience through hardships. Though my family did not have much, we had what we needed, unconditional love and tight netted support.
My mother is a strong believer that education is power and made sure that my brother and I always had the access to the best education possible. Attending a predominantly white high school as a young black woman, taking advantage of opportunities was always my top priority. However, growing up within a society that does not typically accept or embrace black culture served as a hindrance resulting in me often being overlooked and seen as the black sheep. I was a young girl who felt that she did not have a valued voice or worth. Attending an HBCU, my illustrious Talladega College opened my eyes and mind to the countless opportunities. Now, I am a proud 2021 graduating senior studying, Biology Pre-Med and minoring in Psychology. I am extremely involved on campus, being a part of over 10 clubs and organizations while maintaining over a 3.0 GPA. I enjoy the arts and expressing myself through my poetry and painting. As the newly elected Miss Talladega College my platform is Aspire to inspire, which implies the importance of originally, creativity, productivity and perseverance.
