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More than $106K in scholarships, grants
By Alvin A. Reid of the American
Darlynn Bosley, the 2005 Salute to Excellence in Education Stellar Performer, was quite serious at Friday night’s gala in sharing her love for education and for her students at Dunbar Elementary School, where she serves as principal.
Her spectacular smile returned when she learned that something quite playful was coming her way through a gift from the Regional Business Council.
The RBC is gifting $20,000 to fund the Darlynn Cunningham Bosley Playground at Dunbar.
This was among several stirring moments as the 2005 Salute to Excellence honorees shared their respective thanks and toasted those who helped them reach the America’s Center stage last Friday.
Queen Fowler, the 2005 Lifetime Achiever, called Friday “a special evening” and thanked the many co-workers and friends who have been a part of her historic career in education.
“I could not have done this without you,” she told more than 1,500 guests.
Fowler, who has been instrumental in the growth of Harris-Stowe State University as a trustee of the HBCU, made a note to especially thank Dr. Henry Givens Jr. for his friendship and service to the university as its president.
In addition to a $2,500 educator grant, Fowler was presented with a framed photo portrait by the St. Louis American Foundation.
The eight Excellence in Education honorees were also featured in video tributes produced by KSDK Newschannel 5, and all shared their passion for education and the success stories they have helped to create within their classrooms and schools.
Charles Ransom, Lincoln Middle School – “No one does anything without teachers. It is really hard work to instill something into someone’s mind, but it is very rewarding.”
Betty Robinson, YWCA Head Start – “You do more than enroll a child, you enroll the whole family. Everyone has talent. (In education) no one size fits all.”
Gwendolyn Shannon, former administrator – “All principals are under pressure (because) all education is important.” Shannon was the first African American to serve in the Jennings School district (1963).
Makeda Reid Vales, Bermuda School – “To go into education, it must come from the heart. You go to the workshops, you constantly go to school.”
Shirley Washington-Cobb, Airport School – “I know I make a difference. Never forget what a child might go through before you see them in the morning. You never know what that morning was like.”
Chelsea Watson, Parkway SW Middle School – “You have to advocate for students. Students have a voice in our building, and we move forward together.”
Brian Weaver, Jennings Junior High – “Students must believe in themselves, that they can succeed. (That’s why) my class is the real world.”
Brenda Youngblood, McCurdy Elementary – “I think education is an ongoing journey. The role we play services so many needs, but we also help ourselves too.”
Each of the eight Excellence in Education awardees received a $500 educator grant from the St. Louis American Foundation.
Peabody School was honored as the 2005 School of Excellence and its principal, Chereyl Turner Spann, said that school is indeed “special.”
“It’s special because our teachers, our administrators and our students work together. We try to know and understand parents,” she said.
“We build relationships, and the students know that lots of people are cheering them on.”
Spann was cheered also by a $2,500 grant from the American Foundation.
In a touching moment for all the honorees and Salute guests, Bosley said a major reason why she began her career in special education “is because I remember how cruel some students were to other students with special needs. I decided this was the field I wanted to endeavor.”
Meagan Murphy, a University of Missouri student and St. Charles West graduate, was honored as recipient of the 2005 Morris G. Suggs $5,000 Scholarship. Keith Espinosa of Neosho, Mo., was recognized as the University of Missouri Donald M. Suggs Scholarship recipient. The scholarship, which is worth up to $46,000, is for four years and can include study abroad.
More than $106,000 of Friday evening’s proceeds is going to 2005 scholarships and community grants.