Finding Greatness: Zakeyia Westberry

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, November 26, 2018 12:00 AM
Categories: Students | Pressroom | Finding Greatness | School of Education and Behavioral Sciences | School of Education

Cochran, GA

Zakeyia Westberry, an education major and member of the Cochran Campus Activities Board, recently published a book of her poetry.

Full Name: Zakeyia Yakirria Westberry.

Age: 20.

Hometown: Macon/Warner Robins.

Residence: Cochran.

High School: Northside High School where she was FCCLA secretary/treasurer and a member of the National Technical Honor Society and school chorus.

Family: Mother, Andrea McCoy; sister, Alaysha Westberry; niece and nephew, Autumn Tharpe and Karter Tharpe; grandmother, Bernice Jones; and goddaughter, Kamryn Dodson.

Employment: Sodexo- Georgia Hall café on the Cochran Campus, RA for Gateway Hall.

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education.

Class Rank: Sophomore.

Primary Campus: Cochran.

Activities: Campus Activities Board member. 

Career Goals: “I want to be a second grade teacher. I chose the field of education because I want to have an impact on students’ lives. My grade school teachers inspired me to want to teach because I saw them go the extra mile. They showed their dedication as leaders by being there and showing that I matter. They listened, taught, and motivated me. I want to do the same for a new generation of students.”

She chose Middle Georgia State University (MGA) because … “I saw the potential growth, plus it is close to my family. I transferred from Savannah State University. I wanted to become a better me for not only myself, but also for my family and future generations. I saw opportunities, so it was an easy choice.”

The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “There is something here for every person. The diversity of this University is out of this world. So many ethnicities, personalities, ages, and cultures working together to strive towards greatness is wonderful. MGA also motivates its students. My advisors pushed me to complete my poetry book, ‘Proverbs of Zakeyia: Royal & Chosen.” They had hope in my ideas and future. Now I am a published author at the age of 20, and my book was released December 5, 2018. MGA pushed me to seek out leadership positions, including being an RA and a member of the Campus Activities Board.” Westberry recently donated a copy of her published book to Roberts Library on the Cochran Campus.

that as far as we can determine, you are the first currently enrolled student to submit a publication for inclusion in the Middle Georgia State University Roberts Memorial Library collection.  

Her greatest academic experience a Middle Georgia State student has been … “Completing my field hours for my major classes. The hands-on experience of being in the classroom assisting the teacher and teaching many lessons is awesome and a blessing. It confirms the passion I have for the job that I am reaching for and that I am in the right field.”

To her, “greatness” means … “I define greatness as something that can be big or little. A person can achieve greatness each day with small goals they set for themselves. As long as you are doing your best, greatness is always the result. Greatness also something inside of you that helps make us who we are.”

In five years … “I will be teaching and I hope to continue writing and publishing books. I want to expand my artistic painting skills. Mostly, I want to be the best teacher I can be and to grow professionally, financially, mentally, personally, and spiritually.”