African-American achievers earn scholarships
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“This is quite an accomplishment overall. I only wish we had been able to get more than $2,800 for this year’s winners,” said Donna Martin, coordinator of the 2003 African-American Athletic and Scholarship Banquet, held Saturday night at the Civic Center.
Receiving this year’s scholarship awards were first-place winner Danielle Weir, second-place winner Zach Martin and third-place winner Octavian Womack.
The night’s keynote speaker was Ralph M. Thompson, Metro Nashville’s assistant superintendent of middle schools. In an often rhyming and metaphorical speech, Thompson encouraged the students to remember the struggles that made possible all the opportunities available to them today and to maintain the determination to take advantage of those opportunities.
“When I look out tonight, I see success. Remember, you are children of the light, not children of the night,” Thompson said.
Named African-American Man and Woman of the Year were Nelson Ramsey and Molly Lusk.
Ramsey, who works for C&M Trucking Company, helped establish Young Men United, a group of area men dedicated to helping build the character of local children by providing positive role models.
He was praised as one who spends his time, money and efforts to better the community.
Lusk, a veteran teacher who’s now retired, was honored for her local education legacy. A graduate of Tennessee A&I (now known as Tennessee State), she spent many years teaching in Viola, Overton County, Morrison, Head Start, Midtown and West Elementary. Upon retirement in 1983, she spent time as a volunteer at River Park Hospital.
In other awards Saturday night, middle school eight-grader Charques Blevens was honored with the Young Academic Award.