Miss Shaw - Samantha Canteen
Samantha Canteen, the daughter of Everton Welsh and Rosa Canteen was born in Bronx, New York. Her compassionate heart and professional objectives have allowed her to have an incredible vision.
Samantha’s quest started many years ago in middle school where she obtained her first title as Valentine’s Day Queen. She was an organizer/participant of many organizations even in her young years. While attending Seventy-First High School in Fayetteville, NC, she started CLASS-A Dance Team as well as participated in a numerous of other organizations such as:
-Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)
-Spanish Club
-KEY Club International
-Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)
-Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
Ms. Canteen is now the reigning Miss Shaw University 2009-2010 and Theatre major, currently maintaining a 3.4 G.P.A.
During her tenure at Shaw University, she was awarded an Academic Scholarship and received the 2006/2007 Outstanding Student Achievement Award. She has been continually placed in leadership positions: most recently, Dr. Willie E. Gary, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Shaw University appointed Ms. Canteen to serve on the Presidential Search Committee. She was also appointed to serve as President for the Visual Arts and Science Student Advisory Board by Dr. David Marshall, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Shaw University. Samantha also serves as an active member of Shaw University's Honors College, President for the Theatre Department at which time she established a theatrical modeling troop fashionably known as "Untitled". Untitled Modeling Troop incorporates theatrical arts and the excitement of modeling; not for competition but to gain ownership of one's self confidence and beauty. Samantha has also served as sophomore secretary for the Student Government Association during her sophomore year at Shaw.
Upon graduation, Samantha plans to attend Graduate School, where she will receive her Masters in Theatre Education and Performance. Samantha strongly believes that in life, accomplishments of goals and dreams drives us to excel, therefore pursuing her degree in Theater is a very important stepping stone in fulfilling her aspirations. This achievement will enable Samantha to become a woman of excellence and equip her in overcoming current obstacles that she is faced with on a daily basis.
Samantha is a strong, dedicated proponent of helping to strengthen her community. She has volunteered extensively where she has been occupied in the lives of children, homeless men and women, breast cancer patients and survivors. Her volunteerism includes:
-Obama Campaign
-Food Drive for Homeless
-Shaw University Early Childhood Education Department and Research
-Raleigh Safety Club
-Relay for Life
-Martin Luther King, Jr. March
-House Theatre Group
-UNCF Fundraiser – Mayor William V. Bell
-National Youth Sports
Her goal as Miss Shaw University is to promote understanding and knowledge of the complex issue of homelessness throughout our State. She advocates the day when there are no more stories of families and children living in poverty in the richest country in the world. Samantha wants to create a not- for -profit organization to raise donations to fund research to find a cure for breast cancer.
Samantha Canteen attends Built upon a Rock Deliverance Ministry, which is located in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, under the leadership of Pastor Curtis Thomas and First Lady Carol Thomas. Living up to her highest expectations and her favorite quote; "If God is for me, no man can be against me”. The Lord has given Samantha the victory of his peace and courage over difficult circumstances, and she desires to pass this hope on to others.
Within and beyond the walls of “Dear Ole Shaw U” Samantha is definitely a remarkable young woman with a compassionate heart. She vision beyond her years. Her incredible leadership skills are second to none. With these characteristics, she will fulfill her dream of becoming a successful actress/director.
Professional Enhancements (Theatre)
Plays
-Spare the Rod spoil the child -Character: Jessica - Fike High School
-Midnight Summers Dream - Character: Tatiana - Shaw’s Monologues
-Spare the Rod spoil the child - Character: Jessica - Progress Energy Center
-Ceremonies of Dark old Men - Character: The Girl - Kennedy Theatre
-Images - Character: Sojourner Truth - Shaw University
-FAME - Character: Ensemble - Cape Fare Regional Theatre
-FAUGH - Character: Minsey - Seventy First High School
-Addict - Character: Summer - Seventy First High School
Film
-The beast - Co-star - Shaw University
-The Black Terminator - Girl - Shaw University
-Shaw TV - Host - Shaw University
-Career shadowing video - Actress - Seventy First High School
Written and Direct
-From Africa to America - Shaw University
-Addict - Shaw University
Interviews
-Triangle Tribune
-700 Club
-Shaw University Mass Communications Department
-CBS
-NBC
Training
Seventy First High School - Performances Art school - Fayetteville NC
Shaw University - Introduction to Acting - Raleigh, NC
-Voice and Diction
-Theatre Design
-Improvisation
-Play writing
-African American theatre
-History of theatre Part 1 and 2
-Directing
-Auditioning Technique
-Acting for the Camera
-Minority Drama
-Voiceover Radio
-Study