Flag football teams keep it lively -See Pane HI 2 Coach Gaines honors presented -See HuKe A3 t>ads Aebra/, feted as ^ heroes atCa Photos 'by Kevin Walker Tyler Smith looks on as his mom. Shelly Smith, and her Blue Cross co-worker. Koya Goolsby, put together a sign. It Takes a ^ to Raise a Playground Volunteers show up in force to construct wonderland for kids BYT. Kl V IN ?U KER THE CHRONICLE Hundreds descended upon the Winston Lake Family YMCA on Saturday morning, determined to transform a barren plot of land into a child's paradise. Earlier in the year, the Winston Lake Family Y applied for and received a grant from the nonprofit KaBOOM. which works to create a nation where every child lives within walking distance of a safe place to play and unwind. It wasn't like little ones weren't playing in and around the Winston Lake Y. The branch is within walking dis tance of football and baseball fields that play host to kid league match-ups. But as far as an old-fashioned play ground - one with swings, a slide and other tot-friendly contraptions ? there was nothing in the vicinity, until vol unteers began the painstaking task of assembling one on a day that turned out to be one of the hottest so far this ye?r. "People have come out like crazy," Shawan Gabriel, the executive director of the Winston Lake Y said on Saturday, about an hour into the daylong building project. "Everybody just wants to make sure that our kids have a safe place to play." Sec Playground on A 12 Omega Men Bobby Collins (WSSU's basketball coach), Joe Ward and Cornelious Flood assemble a swing. Juneteenth more than just a day in the park Freedom celebration draws large crowd BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE This year's Triad Juneteenth Celebration at Winston Lake Park had all the trappings of a summer festival. Brightly col ored tents dotted the lawn in front of the lake, and a stow bi"eeze rippled the water. The scent of smoked barbecue floated on the air, blending with the music performed live by area artists. Children perched happily atop their parents' MIUUIUCIM 6* the adults strolled easily from one ven dor to the next, while other young "sfefs ? raced " and giggled from one end of the park to the other. Families gather e d beneath shade trees, fanning themselves with pam phlets to stave off the baking heat. Saturday's festival was held at Winston Lake Park for the first time this year. "We hope we've found a home. It's such a beauti ful location Photo by Layla Farmer Ciat Shabazz, center, Tracey Jones ( back center) and her family: father, Isaiah Manuel and daughter, Mia. with the water and the shading with the trees, it s just excel lent," said Cheryl Harry, the founder and executive director of Triad Cultural Arts. "Everybody's excited about coming back to the lake. People have (fond) memories of being at the lake." The annual festival has been observed in Winston-Salem for roughly the last two decades, but its origin dates back 144 years to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers made it to their final destination in Galveston. Texas, to notify the last slaves in the country that their fervent prayers had finally been answered: they were free. Not surprisingly, the news was met with great celebration, and the tradition of Juneteenth has persisted ever since. "I'm excited because there's an increased awareness about Juneteenth and the significance of it, its meaning, and that's where I want to keep it focused." Harry remarked. "It's a time in our history that ought to be remembered." Cedrina Baugh. Kris Feemster and Adrian Malone attend See Junetevnth on A8 Minister focuses on competency tests Some seniors denied diplomas because they failed tests in the eighth-grade BYLAYLA FARMER llll CHRONIC! I Some members of the f ^nnn .i:.i V- IUNN Ul dLKAJy uiu n't take home diplomas alter this month's high school commence ment ceremonies. And Emmanuel Baptist Church wants to hear from them. The Rev. John M e n d e z . bmmanuel s pas tor. will lead a community discussion about the state's controversial testing policy Mendez that requires that all high school seniors pass compe tency tests in reading, math and computers. The tests are given in tne eignin grade, and those who fail have numerous opportu nities to retake it throughout their high school years and even after that. The Class of 2009 was the first gradu ating class affected by the new testing policy. Seniors who had not passed the test by See Tests on A 9 All Fired Up! Women 's team excited about upcoming firefighters competition BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE A five member team of local female firefighters are in for the chal lenge of a lifetime as they prepare to race the clock and other competitors to bring home the gold at the upcom ing Scotts Firefighter Challenge in Lexington. Ky. Firefighters Amy Harris. Marlene Kostyrka, Joy Lacy, Angie Richardson and Danielle White make up this year's women's squad, known ax the Piedmont Nutrition and Fitness tekm. that will compete in the chal lenge on Aug. 1 4- 15. "I'm excited: I'm ready," White declared. Sec KiretiRhlers on M Phcio by Layla Farmct Front row: Joy Lacy and Angie Richardson with (hack row ) Marlene Kostyrka , Amy Harris and Danielle White. DON'T PASS THE buck BUY LOCAL CNAMttfi