Mendez: Like Winning the Nobel Peace Prize from pagc A 1
Year.
When Jahmela Biggs went to the microphone, she
read her mother s acceptance speech flawlessly. In it.
Biggs said she was honored to share the award with
Dorothy Graham-Wheeler, the executive director of the
Best Choice Center. And she said she was honored that
the Chronicle named her recipient of the award.
Graham-Wheeler said: "I'm standing here not for
what Tve done, but for the many people who helped me
. . . Thank you so much Winston-Salem."
The Rev. John Mendez, the Chronicle' s Man of the
Year, said upon receiving his award, that "to be honored
and recognized by the town in which one lives is the
greatest honor" he has ever received.
After enduring years of criticism, Mendez said, the
Chronicle award was the "equivalent of the nobel
prize." t
"This award not only encourages me, but all of us
who are freedom-loving people," he added.
In his closing remarks. Chronicle Executive Editor
Richard Williams thanked the many community volun
teers who tirelessly give of their time and latent.
Through their volunteerism, he said, they are are paving
the way for generations 10 follow.
"If we properly pave that road and sprinkle in to
that blacktop a little love, a little canng, a little charac
ter, a little dignity, a little
perseverance and a little uplift, then one of these
young ushers
. . . will one day be a woman or man of the year,"
he said.
Carmen Russell Bonham
Sarah Mendez
Loretta Biggs & Dorothy Graham-Wheeler: co-Women of the Year.
John Moore
Robin Littlejohn of Otesha Creative Arts Ensemble
Sharon F raizer
John Mendez : Man of the Year.
Lois Liggett enjoys the banquet
Sidney Oman M inter
Nicole M. Davenport
Derek Chisholm
Sgt. SA. Hairston
D.D. Adams (at podium) with resident-council presidents receive Community Service award.
( From L to R): Kenneth M alette, Randy Johnson and Sharon Fraizer receive Curator of Art awards,