IS & Features
wvvw.thenewsargns.coni
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
riic News Argus Page 8
Montgomery clinches nomination in local primary
BRITTANI PARKER
Reporter
Winston-Salem State student Derwin Montgomery,
won the Democratic nomination for the East Ward
seat on the Winston-Salem City Council.
In the primary election Sept, 15, Montgomery, a
senior majoring in political science became the first
traditional student in WSSU history be nominated
for that position.
"I don't know how to describe what 1 feel,"
Montgomery said the day after the election.
According to www.fcvotes.com, Montgomery won
56.68 percent of the votes against three competitors,
incluciing 16-year incumbent Joycelyn Johnson. He
received 440 votes during early voting.
"Early voting put us in a great position coming
into Election Day" Montgomery said.
Montgomery said he had a unique campaign strat
egy. He created a Facebook group called "The
Committee to Elect Derwin Montgomery."
On campus, Montgomery campaigned with flyers,
e-mails, and promotion from student organizations.
He also helped register students to vote and started
a carpool service to take students to the polls.
Student leaders assisted him in carpooling.
"1 decided to help Derwin take students to the
polls," said Shaun Trotter, senior, exercise science
major.
"This was a great accomplishment not only for
me, but for the social science department and the
University as a whole," Montgomery said.
"The political science department, which is a part
of Democracy Now, was very encouraging of my
campaign." Montgomery said that the first issues he
plans to address are public safety and economic
development.
"Public safety is directly related with Winston-
Salem State," he said.
"We have to move from containing crime in the
East Ward to eliminating crime in the East Ward. I
plan to bring youthful energy and a new perspective
to the council."
Montgomery said that being a college student
while running for office allowed him to have access
to a base of people who are usually taken for
granted.
"This election showed that college students can
make a difference," he said.
Montgomery said he thinks that 75 percent of his
votes were from WSSU students.
Larry Little, associate professor in the department
of social sciences, was the first WSSU student to
serve as a city councilman in 1977.
Little was one of Montgomery's advisers through
out the campaign,
"It's a great honor to see your students do well,"
Little said,
"This campaign inspired me; I wanted to help him
in any way 1 could."
Little said that, as a part of the school's motto,
"Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve," Montgomery is
ready to serve in his own community.
"Dr. Little was actively involved in my campaign
and constantly pushed me to be the best that I could
be," Montgomery said.
"I appreciate all of his support,"
In addition to his new position, Montgomery
holds several leadership roles in campus organiza
tions including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc,,
Followers of Christ Under Salvation, and the Student
Government Association Student Senate.
WSSU mentoring partnership with
local schools garnering successes
Marcus Cunningham
Copy Desk Chief
Winston-Salem State has
been partnering successfully
with schools in the commu
nity to mentor students K-12.
The schools include North
Forsyth High School, Carver
High, Atkins High, and
Ashley Elementary.
Arthur Hardin, coordinator
of Community Services, said
that WSSU students mentored
43 potential high school
dropouts in a graduation
preparation program for the
2008-09 school year.
Of the 43 at risk students, 42
graduated.
Programs such as these are
not an isolated incident.
According to Hardin, Black
Men for Change, has worked
with Petree Elementary School
for four years.
Black Men for Change is a
WSSU organization geared
towards community service,
cultural awareness and social
networking for black males.
Some of the mentoring pro
grams at WSSU are organized
through career services; how
ever, Hardin said not all men
tor interaction is reported.
"It's not about numbers,"
Hardin said. "It's about
impact."
Faculty in the school of edu
cation, and the department of
behavioral sciences and social
work have implemented
mentoring projects into their
courses.
The program — Graduate. It
pays. — provides a chance for
professors, staff and other pro
fessionals to mentor high
school students who are on
the verge of dropping out.
It’S not about
numbers. It’s about im
pact.”
—Arthur Hardin
Coordinator of
Community Services
According to Hardin, out of
77 at-risk students mentored
last year, IT. graduated.
"The program is in need of
caring adults," Hardin said.
Dr. Beth Day-
Hairston, professor in the
school of education and
human performances, men
tored students as well as
incorporated mentoring
assignments in her curricu
lum.
In a program known as Girl
Talk, Hairston paired her stu
dents with fifth grade girls
from Bolton Elementary
School. Her students tell the
girls about the importance of
education.
As a part of the program,
Hairston's students gave the
girls tours of the campus and
dorm's.
"It is important to start
young," Hairston said.
"We want this [Girl Talk] to
be sustainable."
Mentoring youth can also
provide benefits to those at
WSSU. Hairston volunteered
with ninth-graders and said
her experience was "reward
ing personally," and her stu
dents benefited as well.
"The community has really
focused in on education,"
Hardin said.
"There is a big need [for
mentors] in the east Winston
community."
Dr. Manuel P. Vargas, pro
fessor and interim associate
dean for the school of educa
tion and human perform
ances, along with Dr. Dee
Wylie, an educational consult
ant with Winston-
Salem/Forsyth County
Schools started a program
called Rites of Passage.
The program was created as
a service to public schools to
guide students with discipline
problems.
Surrounding communities
view a HBCU as a source of
role models.
"As a HBCU we should
help the community," said
Hardin.
"It's important to remember
where we come from, and
October 24-31
Celebrating the
Mighty Ram Tradition
“A Thrilling Experience”
Homecoming schedule of events 2009
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 24, 2009
10:00 A.M,-1:00 P.M.
Recognized Organizations Committee
Community Service Day
9:00 P.M.-2:00 A.M
Kick-Off Homecoming Party
Featuring The Dream, Dorrough, and The New
Boyz, DJ Cease Fire
Hosted by Kyle Santillian, B-Daht, and Afrika
(The 102 Jamz Morning Show)
C.E Gaines Gym
SUNDAY. OCTOBER 25, 2009
6:00 PM.
The Sins of My Father (Gospel Play)
Alpha Nu Omega
K.R. Williams
8:30 PM
Lighting of the Sign
Hosted by Ray "Mr. Breezeway" Johnson
Thompson Center Hill (in front of the Rotunda)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009
7.30 PM.
Homecoming Comedy Show
Featuring DeRay Davis and Roz G
Hosted by Marcus Combs
DJ Cuttz
K.R. Williams
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009
7:30 RM
Casino Night
Featuring Live Band and DJ Luke
Hosted by DC
Whitaker Gym
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28. 2009
7 00 PM,
Coronation
K.R Williams
9:30 PM
Royal Ball
McNeil Ballroom (Anderson Center)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
9.00 PM
The Red and Black Affair
Featuring Jeremih and Gav Beats
Hosted by Tap Money
DJ Cuttz
Millennium Center; downtown Winston-Salem
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30. 2009
2,00 PM.
Mini Parade/Pep Rally
Hosted by B-Daht
DJ Von Dutch
Fine Arts BIdg/Clock Tower
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009
10,00AM
WSSU Parade
Downtown Winston-Salem; 4th and Poplar
2:00 PM
WSSU vs. Hampton Football Game/Tailgate
Bowman Gray Stadium
4.00PM.-7:OOP.M
RAM Den Reunion Gathering
TC Pitt
7:30 PM
NPHC Homecoming Step Show
K R Williams
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009
7:00 A.M -10:00 A M
Pancake Breakfast
Applebees