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" ? w6' N C" "Building Communicative liridgcs in a hi-Ravin! Selling " Robeson County J
IUMBER 20 THURSDAY, MAY 17. 1990 25? PER COPY
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Rose Marie L_ow r~y ?? First I ndian
Elected President Of NCAE
Rote Marie Lowry
Rose Marie Lowry, principal of Union Elementary
School, has been elected president of the 46,000-member
North Carolina Association of Educators. She is the first
Indian and the first administrator (in 15 years) to be
elected to the prestigious position. Hie election will
consist of a two year term-beginning July 1, 1990 she will
become president-elect of NCAE. She will resume the
presidency July 1, 1991 and serve in that capacity for one
year. She wi)Pbe allowed a two year leave of absence from
the Public Schools of Robeson County.
Attending schools in her native Robeson County, Lowry
earned her B.S. in Elementary Education at PSU. She has
graduate degrees from ApplaeMan State University, the
University at North Carolina, Greensboro, and Pembroke
State University, as well as East Carolina University.
Greenville, NC and she is a doctoral candidate at
Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC.
Lowry has been employed by public school system since
1975. She taught fifth grade at Pembroke Elementary for
five years and served as Director of the Health Career
Awareness Project for the county schools for four years;
she has served as Principal of Union Elementary School
since 1984.
Her organizational affilations include membership in
the National Education Association; North Carolina
Association of Ekhicators; Robeson County NCAE;
Robeson County Political Action Committee of Educators)
Charter Member of Robeson County Historical Society)
Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity of PSU; Pembroke Business
and Professional Women's Club; National Education
Association Women's Caucus; PSU Alumni Association;
the American Indian/ Alaskan Native Caucus of the
National Education Association; Robeson County Young
Democrats; and the Robeson County Democratic Women.
She has served as treasurer of the Robeson County
Associaiton of Educators; Vice President and president of
the same organization. She has served as chairperson of
the Robeson County Political Action Committee of
Educators. She has been External Vice President and
President of the Pembroke J syrettes; Chairperson of the
North Carolina Task Force on American Indian Educators;
and many other educational, civic and religious
organizations.
She has been honored and recognized for her
contributions to education on manv occasions. She was
recognized as Outstanding Young Educator by the
Pembroke Jaycees and the Faculty and Staff of Pembroke
Elementary. She was honored as Teacher of the Year by
the Concerned Parents Association, received the
Outstanding Young Women of America Award, as well as
one of the five Outstanding Young Women in North
Carolina; the Pembroke Business and Women's Young
Careerist; District IV Young Careerist Business and
Professional Women; Robeson County Principal of the
Year; and Region IV Principal of the Year.
PllRST'CbUSINS WORK HAH3T
AND RECEIVE)ACADEMIC HONORS
Chad wick Loy (Chad) Lowry, son
of Jimmie R Lowry and Mrs.
Phyllis Lowry of TYyon has be?n
chosen one of fifteen recipients of the
prestigious B.N. Duke Leadership
Award. He is a senior at Tryon High
School.
Lowry was at Duke University in
February interviewing for the award.
Seventy-nine finalists were chosen
from a pool of over 1,000 candidates.
Fifteen winners were chosen from
among the seventy-nine finalists.
The finalists participated in a
three-day program that included
scholarship interviews and special
programs with distinguished mem
bers of the Duke Community:
University President Keith H. Bro
die. Trustee Emeritus Mark Duke
Bidde Trent Semans, professors
Norman Christen sen. Albert Eld
ridge and Patricia Wright and head
bsskeball coach Mike Krzyaewsld.
Hie keynote speaker at the Friday
night dinner was Judy Woodruff,
Duke Alumna and chief Washington
correspondent for the McNeill/
Lehrer News Hour.
Lowry was the only Indian (Lum
bee) to be awarded die scholarship.
The four-year scholarship, worth
more than 140,000, Is awarded
annually to students from the
Carolines. The program was begun
srith the support of the Duke
Endowment and is named for
Benjamin Newton Dike, brother of
University benefactor James B.
Duke.
The university awards about 10
Benjamin N. Duke scholarships
annually to students from North and
South Carolina who exhibit high
academic performance and demon
strate leadership ability and com
munity involvement. It covers 75
percent of tuition and provides
opportunities for participation in
campus programs designed to devel
op leadership potential.
During his four years at Tryon
High School. Chad has served on the
Student Council, serving as presi
dent during his senior year; he has
been president of the freshman class,
sophomore class and junior ciasa. He
has been a member of the Debate
Team; Key Club; Beta Club; JV
B?reball Team; and served as editoi
of the school newspaper, TKJEE
RAG.
He is a member of the TYyon Youth
Center and has served on he program
and activities committee#. He is
youth representative to Trjron United
Methodist Church Administrative
Board and served as chairman of the
prom committee.
Chad's awards include the Riysi
eal Education Award, as well as the
awards for Geometry, Tying I,
Computer I, French I. Algebra II
Fbrensics, Computer Teacher, Fren
ch II, Chemistry, U*S. History,
Physics, Advanced Algebra and
Trigonometry. World Geography and
French CL
Chad is the grandson of Mr. and
Mrs. Bracy Loddear of Pembrohe
and Mrs. Myrtle Lowry of Rowland
the late Rev. Harvey Lowry. He has
also been accepted to Harvard
University.
Nanci Page Loddear, daughter of
Christopher Loddear and Dr. Cheryl
R Loddear of Pembroke, has bean
selected as a More be ad Scholar.
Nanci was one of two students to
become a Morehead Scholar. She is a
senior at Pumell Swett High SchooL
The scholarship, valued at 140,000.
provides an aU-espenses paid under
graduate education at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hll.
Selection of the scholars followed a
screening process that began last fall
and ended in Chapel Hill, 'lite
competition involved students from
28 states and the District of
Columbia
Recipients were chosen for merit
and achievement, not financial need,
officials said. Other criteria used
included leadership, service, charac
ter. academic standing, and motiva
tion.
Nanci'? academic honors include:
Being on the "A" Honor Roll, the
Superintendent's Honor Roll, the .
highest average in these subjects:
Advanced Math, Chemistry, U.8.
History. Freneh I, French 11.
Teaching Fellows finalist. Athletic
honors include most improved in
softbsll, basketball and tennis; cheer
leader eoftball; basketball; tennis;
and the North Carolina High School
Athletic Association scholarship
winner.
She is a volunteer lifeguard, swim
1 instructor, public dance perform and
campaign assistant.
Nanci is the granddaughter of Mr.
I and Mrs. Bracy B. Loddear of
FVm broke and Mrs. FTore N. Ransom
i of Pembroke and the late Marvin .
i Ransom.
^pplicationa For*
M?mb?rship For
RCHRUC Accaptad
Rob*ton County Human Relations A
Unity Committion Accepting
Applications For Membership
The Robeson County Human Rela
Hons and Unity Commission is
accepting applications to fill current
and future membership vacancies.
Interested persons are urged to apply
within the next 30 days. If interested,
please contact the Human Relations
Commission office for more details
on 671-3155 or you are invited to go
by the Human Relations Office at 109
Elliabethtown Road, Lumherton,
North Carolina 28359.
Ckmd Lo**y
JAMES THOMAS TELLS RSLI GRADUATES
TO NEVER EVER GIVE U R
by Gene Warren
For James A. Thomas, a native of Pembroke who is now
co-managing partner of the nation's No. 1 commercial
developer in Los Angeles, receiving an honorary doctor of
laws and also being the speaker at PSU* s commencement
Saturday brought forth deep reflections of the past
He shared this time of emotion with the 384
undergraduates and 82 graduate students who received
their degrees and an overflow throng in the 1,700
capacity Performing Arts Center.
The rain outside, which prompted PSUs first rainy day
schedule at commencement in at least 22 years, made the
setting even more poignant as Thomas spoke of the theme
of his talk and the memories it invoked.
Listening just as intently as everyone else was M. Can
Gibson of Lumber-ton, chairman of the board of Canal
Industries, Inc., who earlier received a honorary doctor of
humane letters. Gibson, who had been described during
the presentation of his doctorate as "a silent benefactor of
PSU...one who has given so much to so many," showed
appreciationf or Thomas' words as did the huge audience.
Thomas used a quotation from a speech once given by
Winston Churchill at a graduation speech as the basis for
his remarks. It was, said Thomas, these words: "Never,
never, never, never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up."
In sharing his life story, Thomas, who attended both
graded school and high school in Pembroke, told how his
grandparents had been custodians at what had been the
Indian Normal School and that his own parents (Ophelia
and Earl A. Thomas) graduated from that school in the
early 1930's. "My brother and I played on the campus, I
played basketball in the (old) gym, roller skated all over te
the campus and used the library. This University is very
deep in my life," said Thomas.
He described the Pembroke community "as a
supportive community" and said "in my formative years,
it shaped and molded me."
Thomas said what started at Pembroke "has been
tested and forged throughout my adullt life to date. It
gave me something to fall bade on when things get
tough - and there were many times when things did get
tough."
He said the first time was "getting through law school
and the second was getting established as a lawyer."
(Note: Thomaoeasnqi frii law degree magna cum laudr at
Cleveland .State University Law School.)
"after getting married near the end of my senior year in
college (at Baldwin-Wallace College in Bedea, 0.),
wife and I worked a year to save money for law schooL
While she continued to work full-time at night, I was
admitted to Case Western Reserve University where I did
well and was appointed to the Law Review at the end of
my first year. At this point, however, my law school
career was disrupted by a number of things, including the
arrival of our second child.
"Determined to finish law school, I got a full time job
and entered night law school. Many times I felt like giving
up." He said he walked five blocks, often in the face of
the wind and snow coming off Lake Ekie, from his office at
work to the law school Lake Ekie, from his office at uwk
to the law school "I felt like giving up, but Sally and I
were able to hold on."
The second time things proved toughf or THomas came
when he graduated from law school and found "little or
no demand for night law school attorneys." It was pointed
out by Thomas that "the best jobs went to Harvard aad
Yale graduates." He said "out of my class of about 100
only two were able to go into the private practice of ahv
law, and thank goodness, I was one of these two."
From that point on, Thomas' career moved forward.
"By 1970,1 was a partner in a prominent Los Angeles
law firm. By 1976, Ihad formed my own law firm with two
other attorneys. And by 1983, this law firm had grown to
one of over 20 attorneys.
"By 1976, I had also formed a development firm with
(Robert) Maguire, one of my clients. By 1976, we had
developed a 100,000 square foot commercial center with a
600 boat slip marina. By 1983, we had developed a 54
story office building in downtown Los Angeles and had a
44 story office building under development
"From 1976-83, I had two carters: the practice of law
and real estate development In 19831 ceased the practice
of law after 20 years. Since then, I have concentrated on
development and for the last several years Maguire
Thomas Partners has been the largest commercial
developer in the United States and probably the world.
Recently, we completed the tallest building on the West
Coast which is the 73 story Library Tower building in the
heart of Los Angeles. (Note: It is also the tallest building
west of Chicao, reports Fortune Magagzine).
Thomas said his point in sharing these personal
experiences with the PSU graduates "is to illustrate that
never, never, ever, ever giving up has worked for me, aad
I recommend it to you."
He then added for emphasis: "I believe the old adage
that there is no failure except in no longer trying."
Thoams was presented his honorary doctorate by
Marion Bass, vice chairperson of the PSU Board
Trustees who described Thomas "as a man of many
to Into: attorney, fauexpert, developer and umonitorial]"
and praised him as "one who has achieved so very
touch."
Thomas' wife and family were asked to stand by PSU
Chancellor Joseph Onandine following a standing ovationf
for James A. Thomas. A similar, standing ovation was
accorded M. Can- Gibson, anfhis family was also
recognised. Gibson was presented his honorary duttoanto
by the Rev. Julian Ransom, a member of the PSU Board
of Trustees.
Skown at PSVt commencement Saturday art |loft to
tight] Prisidant C.D. Slangier, Jr., of tho UNC System,
James A. Thomas of Santa Monica, Calif. [uAo uxu the
tpoakor and rocoivod an honorary doctor qf bntm^ M. Cmn
Gtbson of Immborton |wAo rtcorvod am honorary doctor of
hummm* letter*] and PSU Chancellor Jbtopk Oxrndrno.
Ho lea County Aft?r Schoo 1 Program
Accepting Applications
~ iml ii ? I? AM ? Raliiil&J in tWn 1 *
Registration lor elementary student enrollment in the
Hoke County School After School Cere Program for the
1990-91 school year will be during the month of May.
Parents may pick up registration packets at any of the four
Hoke County Elementary Schools: McLauchlin School.
Seuriock School. South Hoke School and West Hoke
School. Directions for completing and returning the
ic|mu?uvii umwiim9 v iiiuuuvu ui uiv pauwv.
The After School Care Program provides supervised
care and directed activities (or students in grades K-5
every school day until 6 p.m.
For additional information contact Truett Gibeon.
School Cars Coordinator at Turlington Middle Sehool, lit
W. Prospect Ave.. Raeford. NC 28376 or 919- 875-6173.
Project Graduation 1990
"A NATURAL BLAST"
tYofoct Graduation 1990- "A Natural Blast" (All night
alcohol and drug free party for high school seniors) will be
held June 8, 1990 from 10 p.m. until 4 s.m. on the
Pembroke State University Campus. Hie event is being
sponsored by the Robeson County Sheriff s Department,
the Community Service Work Program and the Crime
Education and Prevention Program.
Grand prises will be awarded. They include a 1MB
Nissan Sentra and a 12,500.00 Savinfs Bond donated by
Charles and Kathy Atkinson.
There will be lota of food, fun and priaes. For Author
information contact; Darkens Ransom. Public Schools of
Robeson County. Alcohol and Dnif Defense Coordinator,
(919) 738 4841
Lumbee River Legal
Servl ces To Mold
Public Moot, i rig
lumber Kiver legal Services will
be holding a meeting at the Baptist
Student Center, across from the
Performing Arts Center in Pern
broke, on Tuesday, May 22 begin
ning at 11:00 a.m. Tie meeting is
bring hold in ordor In got the
community's input w lo Ihr type ?f
rases thr office should represent All
interested and concerned cilisens of
Robeson and Scotland Counties are
urged to attend.
"THE CURSE &
THE CROWN"
TO BE PRESENTED
By ipecial request a' repeat at
"The Curse and The Crown" wfl ha
presented at the Saddletree Char oh
of God on Sunday night. May SO, ST
p.m. The public ie cordially Inehai la
attend.
e