Naomi Bouedo (Alpha Lambda) is receiving a degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in biomanufacturing! This summer she will be interning at Chiesi USA in their Manufacturing Sciences & Technology department. She’ll be returning to NC State in the fall for one more year to complete her Master’s in Biomanufacturing through the Accelerated B.S./M.S. program and will be working as a TA for both the ASB program and NC State Biomanufacturing Training Education Center (BTEC). She is excited to also be the alumni advisor for the Alpha Lambda chapter for the 2025-2026 school year! Being a part of Omega Phi Alpha has truly been the highlight of her college experience. She's loved the friendships she's built, the incredible people she's met, and the meaningful service they've done together for their community. This past year, she had the honor of serving as Chapter President, a role that was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It represented the culmination of years of growth, learning, and commitment to something bigger than herself. She's so proud of all that they accomplished together and excited to continue supporting the chapter as it continues to thrive. She joined Omega Phi Alpha because of her now sister-in-law, and she couldn’t be more grateful for the encouragement from her and her friends, who quickly became like older sisters to her. After losing her own sister in 2022, OPhiA gave her a sisterhood that helped fill that unimaginable void, and for that, she’ll always be thankful. Forever grateful. OPhiA, you’ll always have a piece of her heart. Her favorite service project is undoubtedly the annual Outrace the Stigma 5K, which raises awareness for mental health and funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It's a meaningful way to honor her sister’s memory while also fostering a strong sense of community on campus. This past year, they had over 200 participants and raised more than $4,500 for NAMI North Carolina. She loves seeing the joy and positivity that it creates on campus and can't wait to participate in it as a runner next year! In part due to her service through the sorority, she was honored with the NC State College of Engineering Outstanding Senior Award for Citizenship and Service as well as the Student Leadership and Engagement Lasting Impact Award. Congrats @naomibouedo! OPhiA is so proud of you! (fb)

MaKayla Watson (Alpha Iota) is receiving a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Business and Philosophy! She was recently accepted into the Phlebotomy program at SUNY Orange in Upstate New York! While completing that, she'll also be earning her BLS and HIPAA certifications. Her ultimate goal is to become a Cardiac Sonographer, specializing in Adult Cardiac care. After that, she plans to return to school to pursue her Master’s degree in Business. The journey is just beginning, and she's excited for everything that’s ahead! OPhiA has truly been one of the most meaningful parts of her college journey. It’s more than just a sorority—it’s a sisterhood rooted in service, leadership, and friendship. OPhiA gave her a space to grow, find her voice, and give back to her community in ways that made a real difference. She’ll miss her sisters, especially the ones she's laughed with, cried with, and leaned on during the highs and lows. They've been her support system and her second family, and she'll carry their memories with her always. Some of her favorite experiences include planning service projects, recruitment weeks, and late-night bonding moments that turned strangers into lifelong sisters. Seeing their impact come to life through service was always incredibly rewarding. She had the honor of serving as President and Membership Director of the Alpha Iota chapter. These roles challenged her, strengthened her, and reminded her what it means to lead with heart, integrity, and purpose. OPhiA will always have a piece of her heart. She thanks OPhiA for shaping her into the woman she is today. Her favorite service project was participating in their Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. This project meant so much to her because it allowed them to honor survivors, remember those they’ve lost, and raise awareness for a cause that affects so many lives. During the walk, they came together as sisters—wearing pink, holding signs, and walking in unity with community members, families, and fighters. They also helped with setup, handed out water, and shared educational materials about early detection and prevention. It was her favorite because it was powerful to see how many lives have been touched by breast cancer, and how their presence could bring hope, support, and solidarity. It reminded her of the strength of community and the impact of showing up for something bigger than yourself. This project left a lasting impact on her—it deepened her commitment to service and showed her the power of compassion in action. Congrats @kaaylashon! OPhiA is so proud of you! (fb)