Bryant, Thrift Win Williamson | Scholarship Awards Contest I BY SUSAN USHER Speeches titled "Never Say 'I Can't'" and "The Much Maligned Redneck" won West Brunswick High School senior Nadia Bryant and South Brunswick High School senior David Thrift top honors and $2,500 schol arships Sunday in the 23rd Ode 1 1 and Virginia William son Scholarship Award Contest. They were among six high school seniors ? two from each county high school ? to compete. Speaking without microphones or visual aids, the young orators relied on speech content and delivery to get their ideas across. Their audiencc was supportive but steaming in side a packed teaching auditorium that iackcu air condi tioning. Bryant is the daughter of Edna and Dolphus Bryant Jr. of Cedar Grove. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and plans to pursue a ca reer in dermatology. Telling her audiencc "it takes diligence and hard work to succeed. " Bryant encouraged others to follow her motto. "Never Say 'I Can't'". Thrift dissected the stereotype of the southern red neck. urging audiencc members to "put away all labels" based on stereotypes and allow individuals to define themselves by their own values and actions. While he drives a pickup truck and wears boots, said Thrift, "this redneck' also takes Advanced Placement English and scads Shakespeare." The son of David and Derinda Thrift of Winnabow. he plans to attend the University of North Carolina at IIBI1 ?? ?' II nTm !? II ??? I' HI T~T7 Wilmington and is considering a pre -veterinary course of study. Also competing Sunday were finalists: ? Marcus Bernard of West Brunswick High, who used four historic figures as examples of the mind at work in his talk. "The Mind is a Terrible Thing To Waste"; ? Kimberly Fullwood of South Brunswick High, who suggested that "Today s Youth ? tomorrow's Leaders" need to make decisions that lead to lives of substance, no! selr-destruction; ? Mark Mitchell of North Brunswick High, who discussed "The importance of Leadership" for "success in anything"; and ? Shirellc King of North Brunswick High, in "My Commitment to America." pledged "to be the very best ! can be so I can be a productive member of society," by pursuing intellectual, spiritual and social growth. Each of the county finalists had won their school level competition, receiving a S KM) cash award. All fi nalists also received a plaque. Judges for the event were Leonard B. Arnold, assis tant superintendent for personnel. Harnett County Public Schools; Margie Maultsby. English teacher, Whiteville High School: Mary B Blantnn, librarian. James Sprant Community College; Elizabeth S. Jacobs, English teacher. South Columbus High School; Charles G. Hol den. principal. Central Columbus High School; and Danny McPherson. principal. West Columbus High School. Kis Voc-Tech Honor Students muio Cohiwuhu Sixteen Brunswick Community Students are inducted into the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society in recent ceremonies at BCC's Student Center. Pictured are ( center front) Keiiy Toler MiUer, Leland; (from left, from bottom row up) Advisor Velma Williams, Patrice Bennett Shaw, Shallotie; Angela C. Durham and Dana Danuelle Varnam, Supply; Barbara Harbaught Babson, Bolivia; Rudra Persaud Ramphal, Supply; Angela Hewett Leonard, Shallotte; Terri Denise Matson, Supply; Teresa Norris Morton, Supply; Wanda Lanier Wheeler, Long Beach; Kathy Pope Corner, South Brunswick; Christine Ann BaUou, Supply; Richard Glenn Blake, Bolivia; Lorida A. Moser, Long Beach; Mary Ann Legg, Supply; and Nancy Leary, S halloa*. Each was presented a pin and membership certificate. Members of the BCC Chapter mast muiniuin a grude point average of 3.60 or better in a curriculum program and must have completed 24 hours or more in their field of study. McDowell Will Compete At Rosalyn McDowell will represent Brunswick County in state competition at 4-H Clothing Camp May 13 and 14 in Reidsville. She was among 18 4-H members who competed in f/\lir i/\nr in ? nnnitnl Dm >t??L /""* A II * v/u< ?