The tide of growing concern regarding the absence of black students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) academic programs may have achieved its purpose — at least for 13 Detroit Public Schools students. Parents, friends, family members and First Independence Bank officials applauded the winners of its scholarship essay contest and celebrated their accomplishments in an April 17 ceremony at FIB’s Livernois branch on Detroit’s westside. Detroit NAACP executive director Donnell White and Detroit city councilwoman Brenda Jones were the awards ceremony guest speakers, both advised scholarship recipients and honorees to give thanks for challenges in their academic careers. “Challenges only come into your lives to allow us an opportunity to better ourselves” said a thoughtful White. “So when you don’t win a contest or you don’t get into the first school you apply to … push back and push harder. Let that be your Invictus moment.”
The awards and recognition ceremony, provided a positive backdrop for a school system which has been hard hit by criticisms from parents, teachers and school administrators. But DPS parents on hand, said the joy they felt as they watched their young charges beam with pride and confidence outweighed the criticisms. “This event recognizing the accomplishments of these kids counter acts all of the negativity from the naysayers. I’m just very, very proud,” said one proud father.
FIB employees VP Rhonda Pugh, Catherine Black and Coretta Flagg opened the awards ceremony with a presentation to first place high school winner Deion Love who received a $2,000 scholarship. Love and all award recipients addressed the audience to explain their award-winning essays, with several citing technological advancements such as cell phones, mobile devices and even the television show “The Jetsons” as inspiration for their work. First place high school and middle school winners received NAACP Freedom Fund dinner tickets, and honorable mentions received gift bags. FIB executive, Alberta Pearson, closed the scholarship program with a special acknowledgement to the parents and supporters of scholarship contest winners.
Scholarship recipients include:
High School
1st Place: Deion Love, Renaissance High School, $2,000 Scholarship
2nd Place: Lauren Uddyback, Renaissance High School, $1,250 Scholarship
3rd Place: Clarissa Barksdale, Renaissance High School, $750 Scholarship
Middle School
1st Place: Jendayi Anderson, FLICS, $500 Scholarship
2nd Place: Jalen Nichols, Ludington Magnet, $350 Scholarship
3rd Place: Rageon Thomas, Ludington Magnet, $150 Scholarship
Honorable Mentions
Diptho Sutradhar, King High School
Jalen Lykes, King High School
Jaylen Bradley, Renaissance High School
Tommie Wesley, Ludington Magnet
Simone Denard, Golightly Education Center
Nabila Asabigi, Golightly Education Center
Malisha Bell, Thurgood Marshall
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