Published e.ieh Thursd.tv m Pembroke. X.C. Carolina iNDiAii vunt "Ihiikling Communicative Hridges In A Tri-Racial Setting" I .pp ^ ^ ^ Volume 27 Number IS Thursday, April 13, 2000 , 2gc Shelly Strickland is named a Park Scholar Shelly R. Strickland Shelly R. Strickland has received a Park Scholarship. One of 60 students throughout the United States to be named a Park Scholar, Shelly was given the award for academic achievement, character, leadership and involvement in the community. The scholarship, valued at $47,000 for NC residents and $83,000 for out-of state students, pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study at NC State, including a stipend for each student to purchase a personal computer and peripherals. It is named in honor of the late Roy H. Parks, a 1931 graduate of NC Slate. A senior at Purnell Swett High School, Shelly completed her high school requirements in December, 1999 and was also enrolled from August - December, 1999 at UNCPembroke, taking Calculus 1. She is currently a full-time student at UNC-Pembroke. Living in a rural, close-knit community, Shelly says, "1 have been fortunate to receive encouragement and support from both family and friends." In her junior year, she traveled, extensively throughout NortlK^ Carolina, as well as visiting Maryland and New Mexico as an ambassador for the Native American Youth of North Carolina, representing six different tribes. Shelly says it was "a thrilling and educational experience, never to be forgotten." She keeps busy singing at churches, funerals, weddings and public school functions, admitting that "singing is an enjoyable hobby." She also plays piano, currently teaching piano to five students. In the ninth grade, Shelly was on the Superintendent's Honor Roll; won second place at the Region IV Science Fair; was a nfember of NASA (Native American Student Association); the area Representative for NCNAYO (NC Native American Youth Organization); a cheerleader; class officer on the Student Council: a member of Who's Who Among America's High School Students; was an award winner in English 1 for the highest grade point average; 1997 Leadership Program participant at the University of NC at Pembroke: and served as a Pace 'or the NC House of Representatives. 10th grade, she was attain on the Superintendent s Honor KOH; a Sophomore Student of excellence; placed second at the Kegion IV Science Fair: a member ?' VASA: a member of the NCNAYO Executive Council; a member ol the Living History Club; a member of Who's Who Among America's High School Students; a Hugh O'Bryan Youth Leadership participant; Class Secretary of the Student Council; and a tutor at Maynor Manor of the Pembroke Housing Authority. She was a Chief Marshal and on the Superintendent's Honor Roll in the eleventh grade; a member of NASA; a NCNAYO Executive NYNAYO"meTber kS "Miss ixi na yu , a member of the Living History Club; Class Secretary of the Student Council- a member of Who's Who Among America s High School Students; a Community In Schools tutor at Prospect Elementary School; National Honor Society Vice President; won award for the highest grade point average in Physics and English III; a Moorehead Scholarship nominee; won first place at the Region IV Science mur; and was the US Navy Distinguished Service Award In the twelfth grade she was the National Honor Society Presidentclass secretary of the Student Council; treasurer of DECA- a member of SADD (Students Against Drunk Drivers); on the Superintendent's Honor Roll- a member of Who's Who Among America s High School Students; NASA Sergeant of Arms; ^Nrwivo"01 photographer lor NCNAYO; a piano teacherand a Student of Excellence Award winner. Shelly is an active and faithful New Prospect Methodist Church where she has sung along with her mother and father in a family trio for thirteen years; is Assistant Sunday School Ae!lC^,arid a soloist in the Young Adult Choir. 6 She traveled to the 1998 United nns!rrv\ Indian Tribal Youth (VNTY> conference in Washington, DC, serving as a representative for the Lumbee Tribe and providing entertainment at the banquet. She was a Lumbee Youth Representative at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, NM She has been a Special Olympics Volunteer for three years. She disTh^tf gltt bags during Thanksgiving at Pcmberton Nursing Home. And was a Communities In School tutor (CIS) at Prospect Elementary School. Shelly is the 18-year-old daugh Robesonians were used to Harold Jacobs leading the hymn sin gas the group gathered, song leader Ronnie Wallace ol Kockingham chose some very meaningful songs. "He Touched Me" is the one that always touches ME, down deep, whether I sing it by mysel for with a group. Pianist was Jack Swink. Later in the program the Prospect Community Men. with Harold Jacobs at the piano, presented several powerful songs. TheGalilee Singers, two men and two women representing one of the Black United Methodist churches in Scotland County, also blessed all of us listeners. There was spontaneous applause from the tri-racial participants for both singing groups! Larry Chandler, pastor of Pleasant Grove, shared what the scholarship offering means to new pastors who are stills students as they serve one or more churches. This year Lee Wallace of Rockingham replaced Richmond Community College Vice President and Pembroke native, Jim Chavis. as Rockingham District Lay Leader. Although Lee was in charge of this year's program. Jim was present in what seemed to me to be a kind of elder brother/host role. The attractive new Cole Auditorium will surely prove an asset to the Richmond Community College campus. President of the Rockingham District United Methodist Men. Allyn McLean, ofGalilee UM Church, led the assembled group in the first prayer. At the end of the program Gary Locklear, Sandy Plains, offered the benediction. Earline Waddell. president of the Rockingham District united Methodist Women, introduced the rally speaker, Barbara Tripp. Barbara has been serving as NC Conference Recovery Coordinator. With slides and touching stories, she shared with us what it's been like for the flood victims of Hurricane Floyd, and how various volunteers, along with aid from churches in other parts of the conference, have helped to alleviate the heartaches for those who lost everything but their lives. Honorees Each year United Methodist high school students selected by their churches are honored for three accomplishments-church participation, academic achievement, and helping others in their community. Among the fifteen nominees were: Hall Sigmon and Christine Bell of Chestnut Street UMC and Tony Lowry, Elizabeth and Erickson Jacobs of Sandy Plains. Hall is the son of Dennis and Beth Sigmon, who were active at First Methodist Church when they lived in Pembroke. Dennis Sigmon still works in Pembroke, teaching in the English Department at UNCP. His wife, Beth, teachesat Robeson Community College. Sharon Bell, Christine's mother, teaches in the UNCP Business Department. Christine Bell and Elizabeth Jacobs were among six students who received special recognition from the district. The Rev. Denny Wise, District Director of Higher Education, presented the awards. Elizabeth's parents are Bruce and Brenda Jacobs. Gary Wayne Locklear Once again, a member of one of the Indian United Methodist Churches in this arc a (Sandy Plains this time) was chosen as Rockingham District Lay Person ofthe Year. Besides being very active in his own church. Gary has taken part in work teams in Russia and Bolivia. Forty-some years ago. when I was working with Sandy Plains and five other churches, I got to know Gary's parents, brothers and sisters. All of us are proud of the many contributions he has made! Robby Lowry Robby Lowry also received special recognition at the rally, for his work with is home church. Pleasant Grove UMC, as rocking ham District Lay Leader and then, for the past four years, as Lay Leader ofthe entire NC Conference. He will also be one of the NC Conference representatives at General Conference in May. (Every four years persons elected to represent United Methodist churches from around the world meet to make decisions affecting the entire church for the following four years.) I will always have fond memories of visiting at the home of "Mr. Harvey (Sr.)" and "Miss Myrtle" when their four boys were young. And I am proud of the unique contributions each one of those "boys" has made as an adult. I could not help shedding some tears when both Gary's and Robby's names were announced. I've seen a lot of good things happen since coming to Pembroke in 1956! Other Program Participants Others on the program were Chevonne Wallace of East Rockingham UMC, the Rev. Robert Flynn, District Mission Coordinator, and the Rev. J. Edward Morrison, Rockingham District Superintendent. Robeson County During refreshments after the program, Earline Waddell, frofa Rockingham, told me that her very first job as a young woman was with the Robeson County extension service. One person she remembers fondly is Helen Sampson. It was interesting to me that Earline left Robeson County in September of 1956, the very SAMfe month I arrived. 43 and a half years later, the two of us finally met!