By Staff
Students take home prizes in essay contest
By DAN PARSONS
Staff Writer
Stacey Godley is reminded of her African-American heritage every day before she ever sets foot in a classroom. Her alarm clock, the filaments in her light bulbs and the stoplights that guide her mother’s car to school are among a laundry list of inventions that help people in their daily lives; all were invented by influential black men and women.
For their recognition of those achievements in black history, the fifth grader and 10 other Beaufort County students were honored Saturday at the inaugural Black History Awareness Program hosted by the John S. Davis Resource Outreach Community Center at Southside High School. In celebration of Black History Month, the center hosted an essay contest, through Beaufort County Schools, which challenged entrants to reflect on how African American inventions have improved their lives.
The center was et up by Davis to provide an after-school homework center that provides assistance with reading and math for underprivileged Beaufort County youth. By keeping students on track with their school work, it is the goal of Davis and his family-run center to keep students in school and provide them with the tools necessary for them to continue their education through and beyond high school, according to Davis.
James Speed Jr., president and chief executive officer of Durham-based N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company, echoed the importance of the center’s goal of inspiring a love of education in the students it helps. Mutual Life was founded in 1898 to provide insurance to Africa Americans at a time when other companies would not provide coverage to them, filling a void much in the same way Davis’ center is filling a need for Beaufort County blacks, he said.
Speed said the most important factor in the success of a child, white or black, is for them to continue their educations. Education, both in high school and beyond, is the “bridge between where you are today and where you want to go,” he said. He challenged those in attendance to “fool” those that would doubt their abilities to succeed and to “climb high.”
Delivering the closing remarks after being serenaded in honor of his birthday, Davis said he hopes the program will become an annual event and that the center is “just getting the ball rolling.”
Along with Godley, Amanda Doss, and Shalonda Moore took home the top prize in the essay contest for sixth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades respectively. Each received a $100 savings bond for their winning essays. Briana Laws and Samantha Bowden each received a $75 savings bond for their second-place essays. Auriel Moore, Mari-Kate Newbold, Victoria Smith, Holden Stowe, Corey Waters and Jorden Woolard all received a $50 savings bond from the center for coming in third place in the contest.