THE CAROLINA INDIAN" VOirF MARY LIVERMOK LIBRARY Published each Thursday by First American Publications, Pe lFlXofxATE 2037aVOLUME 26 NUMBER 23 THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1999 ! TWENTY-FIVE CENTS Coaclt Cltavis Guest Speaker at Pembroke Elementary Ms. Gertrude Chavis ispictured with her nephew, John Chavis, Assistant Head Coach at the University of Tennessee. John Chavis w as guest speaker at Pembroke Elementary School on May 21, 1999. He was welcomed by Kent Chavis, Branch Manager of the IJcd Spri ngs branch of Lumbcc Guaranty Bank, and Noah Woods. County Commissioner and principal of Pembroke Elementary School Chavis gave an inspirational speech to an audience of area student athletes, friends, relatives and a host of public officials He spoke of the days when he would go straight from the tobacco fields into football practice at his high school in Dillon. SC. Chavis became emotional while speaking of his father, Robert Chavis. Jr, and Aunt Gertrude w ho both encouraged and helped him through thcirloNcanddisciplinc He discussed alternative careers for young athletes who arc not able to fulfill their dreams of actually playing professional sports. Further, he stressed the importance of a good education and how that contributed to his present success One member of the audience questioned Chavis rcgardingTcnncsscc's recruiting practiccsand. if they ever recruited from our area. He informed the group that there was a scout assigned that included our area schools. Chavis was most enthusiastic when he assured the group he would definitely accompany the scout on trips to the Robeson county area to ensure no talent is overlooked and to visit relatives. Commissioner Noah Woods is. Principal of Pembroke Middle School is shown with Coach chavis. Pembroke Middle School Student Scores 4.0 on Writing Test Dcsmund D. Hunt-Locklcar was awarded a trophy during the Awards Day Ceremony held at Pembroke Middle School for scoring a perfect score of 4 0 on the writing test administered to all seventh grade students in the county. He was one of seven seventh graders at Pembroke Middle to score a 4.0, Dcsmundalso received awards for making the A honor roll, as well as awards for the highest average for,his English class and Science class Earlier at the school 's Academic Banquet, he received another trophy for academic achievement Desmund is the son of Cynthia L Hunt and Darryl Locklcar and the grandson of Douglas and Olivia Hunt, and James and Eula Locklcar Carolina Indian Voice is published every Thursday by First American Publications 1 economy, they need excellent job training and state-of-the-art skills. Sen. David Weinstein said Wednesday. "our communtiv college system has one of the best job training programs in the country. Aand we shouild do all we can to support it as our economy grows and changes." said Weinstein. D-Robeson. "We owe it to employers - and to workers and their families - to help NOrth Carolin ians get and keep good jobs " Under a Senate proposal approved Tuesday, part of North Carolina's account in a federal unemployment. insurance fund would pay for equipment and technology at the state's community colleges, where most job training programs take place. THe state's employ ers would see a 20 percent cut in their payments to the federal Unemployment Insurance (Ul) fund, and a corresponding 20 percent contribution to a state fund would help community colleges provide workforce training. The community college system would get SI 13.7 million over the next two years for equipment and technology needs. "This is the right thing to do for our workers, who need training for * ~ new jobs or updated skills lor better jobs." Weinstein said. "And it's rght for our employers. who will benefit from better-trained workers." North Carolina's Ul fund has a balance of S1.26 billion-one of the biggest balances inb the country and another S200 million serves as the state's backlog of S131 million in technology and equipment needs, according to a 1997 survey. About 98 percent of North Carolina's employers would see a reduction or no change in their Unemployment Insurance bills under the Senate proposal, a committee substitute for House Bill 275. Around 2 percent. oc_3.400 businesses, that owe money to the fund would be excluded from the reduction because their accounts are overdrawn. Those employers could avoid an increase by paying what they owe. according to the Employment Seceurities Commission. The NC Department of Community Colleges, the Employment Securities Commission, North CarolinaCitizens for Buisiness and Industry, and the stae Treasurer's office endorse the plan, a committee substitute for Houase Bill 275. The proposal now goes to the state House of Representatives for agreement. Summer Reading Program Programs to be conducted at the Robeson County Public Library Auditorium. .StoryTime Schedule June 11- friday , 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Endangered Artimals) North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, small live alligators, slides, lecture. June 14 - Monday, 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Billions of Bugs) James Cochran, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Puppet stories. June 18 - Friday, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (Native American Tales & Legends) Sherryl Jacobs, Interactive stories. June 21 - Monday, 2:00'- 3:00 p.m. (Let's Play Conservation) Joanna McPhatter, Robeson Soil & Watfr Conservation District Presentation, puppets, activities. June 24 - Thursday, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ( Tales of Old) Iris Killeas. June 28 - Monday, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (Terrific Turtles) North Carolina Museum of Natural Science Presentation with live turtles. June 8,15,22,29, and July 6 Tuesdays Proctorville 10:00 - 10:45 Fairmont 11:30 - 12:15 Rowland 2:00 - 2:45 June 9,16,23,30, and July 7 Wednesdays St.Pauls 1:00- 1:45 Red Springs 2:30 - 3:45 June 10.17,24, and July 1,8, Thursday Lumberton 10:00 - 10:45 . . . Maxton 1:00 - 1:45. " Pembroke 2:15 - 3:00 Susan Noble with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service; will present nutrition activities during storytime on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th week at all 8 of the above locations. Showtime (Video variety) June 9,16,23,30, and July 7 Wednesdays RCPL Auditorium 10:00 - 11:00 July 9 - Friday, 10:00- 12:00 Certificate Day Celebration Dare Band Performs, RCPL garden ( auditorium if rain) Mrs. Mary Meekins will be putting on the program (bringing live animals) Eleven - Year Class Reunion Planned The Class of 1948 of Pembroke High School is sponsoring a reunion forthe classes of 1944.1945. 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949. 1950. 1951. 1952, 1953. 1954. and other classes that graduated in the 1940's and 1950's. The event is planned for July 1,2000 and is scheduled to meet at Pembroke Middle School from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Several class leaders from those years recently met and made plans for this historic gathering of Pembroke High School Alumni. Helen Lowry Sampson and Daphne Lowry Jones are serving as local chairpersons for this Y2K celebration. H.L."Lindy" Martin is General Coordinator. 1940's and 1950's graduates have encouraged to promote and attend this multi-class reunion. Revels Graduates from Pharmacy School A native of Robeson County. Robert Wayne Revels graduated May 10, l999asMagnaCumLaudc from Campbell University Schobl * of Pharmacy, in Buies Creek, N.C. During the ceremony, he was administered the pharmacist's oath by Mr. David Work, Executive DircctoroftheN.C. Board of Pharmacy. Revels is a graduate of Pembroke Senior High School apd UNC-Pcmbrokc. He i**the son of Vester Mac Revels and the late Ray Revels of Pembroke. N.C. r Pembroke Kiwanis Report The Rev. Mike Cummings, President of the North Carolina Baptist Convention was principal speaker at the Tuesday evening Kiwanis meeting. He was introduced by Program Chairman Clayton Maynor. Rev. Cummings is first Native American to be president of the North Carolina Baptist Convention, it is one hundred fifty - years old. and always has been against slavery. This is the first timeaLumbee Indian broke through the age old minority barrier. And Rev. Cummings has done it. In 18655 the convention was just HomcMissions, with over a hundred years of white domination. We are a part of the force to bring people into church. We now have all races includingHispanics. More interest now is going to individual churches. The Convention is not interested in building big groups of church goers. And we don't leave out minorities. We share leadershipwith all groups. There are 3800 churches in the N.C. Baptist Convention. And 1200 Baptist Associations in the Country. Since 1958 Odom Home has come from being an orphanage to a Baptist Home for all races. The convention has all kinds of pro?;rams including scholarships, help or the elderly, aid for the poor, help to all kinds of educational institutions. Rev.Cummiogsisona constant go attending many committee meetings of all kinds. He sure is happy in the Lord's work. Presiding and Invocation ? George Kenworthy; Reporter ? Ken Jchnscr.. April Whittemore, the former Miss Indian World, is shown with Representative Ron Sutton. Ms. Whittemore recently addrssed the North Carolina General Assembly. She was introduced by Rep. Sutton. She is now employed with the Palmer Drug Abuse Program and Spoketo the Legislature about the needs of the elderly and the children. Pembroke Student named All-American scholar The United States Achievement Academy announced today that Tamara A. Oxendine from Pembroke, NC has been named an All-American Scholar. The USAA has established the All-American Scholar Award Program to offer deserved recognition to superior students who excel in the acaderhic disciplines. The AllAmerican Scholars must earn a 3.3, or higher, grade point average. These are awards few students can ever hope to attain. Tamara A.Oxendine, who attends Purnell Swett, will appear in the AllAmerican Scholar Y earbook, which is published nationally. "Recognizing and supporting our youth is more important than eve before in America's history Certainly, United States Achievement Academy winners should be congratulated and appreciated for their dedication to excellence and achievement." said Dr. George Stevens. ?ycccutive Director of the United States Achievement Academy. Tamara A. Oxendine. is the daughter of Louie and Hilda Oxendine from Pembroke. N.C. The grandparents are James B. Loeklear from Pembroke, N.C. and Etta B. Oxendine from Lumberton. N.C. National Lumbee Writing Contest Winners Pembroke -- As the Lumbee prepare for their annual homecoming here, the winners ofthe National Writing Contest for Lumbee students were recently announced. Dr. Robert W. Reising, coordinator of the Native American Literary Voices planning committee, said the contest attracted young writers from throughout the nation. The winners are: * High School Poetry - Nakecja Locklear, senior, South Robeson High School. * Middle School Poetry - Casey Locklear, 8th grade. Magnolia School. * Middle School Fiction-Jamee Hunt, 7th grade, Rowland Middle School. Reising a professor of English and American Studies at UNC Pembroke, said the contest was announced in late January. Committee members Patsy Baker, Dr. Joseph Bell, Yvonne B. Dial, Barbara Braveboy-Locklear and Marilyn Locklear assisted in organizing the contests and reading. The winning authors will each receive S100, a certificate, and copy of the Lumbee classic. The Only Land I Know, co-authored by the late Dr. Adolph Dial. The three winners will also read their works at the Fourth Annual Native Literary Voices reading in Dial Humanities building on campus at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 3. The reading will feature and honor Julia L. Russell, respected Lumbee teacher and writer. Also present will be local Lumbee author Delano Cummings. who in 1993 published Moon Dance Warrior, his account of being a combat Marine in Vietnam. The prizes and the reception that follows the reading are made possible by a grant from the Lumberton Tourism Development Authority. The public is invited to the reading and reception. Both are free. Local Students of Excellence Recognized Larissa Johnson and Kameron Richardson were recognized as Students of Excellence at the May 18th meeting of the Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County. Presenting their awards was Don Gersh representing the Pembroke Area Chamber of Commerce. The Student of Excellence Award is a Chamber of Commerce Coalition initiative to recognize students for their contributions to their schools and communities. Each area chamber selects a students based on applications submitted from the high school in their; students who apply must have a 3.0 minimum grade point average. Each chamber honors the student w ith a plaque and other rewards for meritorious service and achievement. Honored from Purnell Swett High was Larissa Johnson, an active participant in many school and community activities. She is a member of the FHA, the Beta Club and is Manager of the Volleyball Team. She is an active memberof her church where she is a member ofthe Youth Choir and the Acteens. She plans to pursue a degree in law. a goal she has set as a way of "preventing others from suffering injustice or being cheated." Her best role model was her grandmother who epitomized for her the "honest life helping others." From South Robeson High School Kameron Richardson was recognized. HE is involved in J ROTC where he is a member of Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps and the drill team. He is also a member of the Native American Student Association. He contributes to his community through his involvement in his church as Vice President of the Youth Group, as a member ofthe Handbell Choir, as a base singer in Adult Choir, as a Church Usher, and as assistant to the Bible School. The person whom he most admires is his father who has "modeled dedication to hard work and determination in overcoming obstacles." He believes that success is "reaching thehighest potential of one's desires and being satisfied with the destination and the outcome." His career goal is to become a computer programmer. All Students of Excellence recipients are recognized at individual schools, at their area Chamber of Commerce meetings, and, officially, at the Board of Education presentations.