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Tyler Smith looks on as his mom. Shelly Smith, and her Blue Cross co-worker. Koya Goolsby, put together a sign.
It Takes a ^
to Raise a Playground
Volunteers show up in force to
construct wonderland for kids
BYT. Kl V IN ?U KER
THE CHRONICLE
Hundreds descended upon the Winston Lake Family
YMCA on Saturday morning, determined to transform a
barren plot of land into a child's paradise.
Earlier in the year, the Winston Lake Family Y
applied for and received a grant from the nonprofit
KaBOOM. which works to create a nation where every
child lives within walking distance of a safe place to play
and unwind.
It wasn't like little ones weren't playing in and around
the Winston Lake Y. The branch is within walking dis
tance of football and baseball fields that play host to kid
league match-ups. But as far as an old-fashioned play
ground - one with swings, a slide and other tot-friendly
contraptions ? there was nothing in the vicinity, until vol
unteers began the painstaking task of assembling one on
a day that turned out to be one of the hottest so far this
ye?r.
"People have come out like crazy," Shawan Gabriel,
the executive director of the Winston Lake Y said on
Saturday, about an hour into the daylong building project.
"Everybody just wants to make sure that our kids have a
safe place to play."
Sec Playground on A 12
Omega Men Bobby Collins (WSSU's basketball coach), Joe
Ward and Cornelious Flood assemble a swing.
Juneteenth
more than just a
day in the park
Freedom celebration
draws large crowd
BY LAYLA FARMER
THE CHRONICLE
This year's Triad Juneteenth Celebration at Winston Lake
Park had all the trappings of a summer festival. Brightly col
ored tents dotted the lawn in front of the lake, and a stow
bi"eeze rippled the water. The scent of smoked barbecue
floated on the air, blending with the music performed live by
area artists. Children perched happily atop their parents'
MIUUIUCIM 6*
the adults
strolled easily
from one ven
dor to the
next, while
other young
"sfefs ? raced "
and giggled
from one end
of the park to
the other.
Families
gather e d
beneath shade
trees, fanning
themselves
with pam
phlets to
stave off the
baking heat.
Saturday's
festival was
held at
Winston Lake
Park for the
first time this
year.
"We hope
we've found
a home. It's
such a beauti
ful location
Photo by Layla Farmer
Ciat Shabazz, center, Tracey Jones ( back
center) and her family: father, Isaiah
Manuel and daughter, Mia.
with the water and the shading with the trees, it s just excel
lent," said Cheryl Harry, the founder and executive director
of Triad Cultural Arts. "Everybody's excited about coming
back to the lake. People have (fond) memories of being at the
lake."
The annual festival has been observed in Winston-Salem
for roughly the last two decades, but its origin dates back 144
years to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers made it to their
final destination in Galveston. Texas, to notify the last slaves
in the country that their fervent prayers had finally been
answered: they were free. Not surprisingly, the news was met
with great celebration, and the tradition of Juneteenth has
persisted ever since.
"I'm excited because there's an increased awareness about
Juneteenth and the significance of it, its meaning, and that's
where I want to keep it focused." Harry remarked. "It's a
time in our history that ought to be remembered."
Cedrina Baugh. Kris Feemster and Adrian Malone attend
See Junetevnth on A8
Minister focuses
on competency tests
Some seniors denied diplomas because
they failed tests in the eighth-grade
BYLAYLA FARMER
llll CHRONIC! I
Some members of the
f ^nnn .i:.i
V- IUNN Ul dLKAJy uiu
n't take home
diplomas alter this
month's high
school commence
ment ceremonies.
And Emmanuel
Baptist Church
wants to hear from
them.
The Rev. John
M e n d e z .
bmmanuel s pas
tor. will lead a community
discussion about the state's
controversial testing policy
Mendez
that requires that all high
school seniors pass compe
tency tests in reading, math
and computers. The tests are
given in tne eignin
grade, and those
who fail have
numerous opportu
nities to retake it
throughout their
high school years
and even after that.
The Class of 2009
was the first gradu
ating class affected
by the new testing
policy. Seniors who
had not passed the test by
See Tests on A 9
All Fired Up!
Women 's team excited
about upcoming
firefighters competition
BY LAYLA FARMER
THE CHRONICLE
A five member team of local
female firefighters are in for the chal
lenge of a lifetime as they prepare to
race the clock and other competitors
to bring home the gold at the upcom
ing Scotts Firefighter Challenge in
Lexington. Ky.
Firefighters Amy Harris. Marlene
Kostyrka, Joy Lacy, Angie
Richardson and Danielle White make
up this year's women's squad, known
ax the Piedmont Nutrition and Fitness
tekm. that will compete in the chal
lenge on Aug. 1 4- 15.
"I'm excited: I'm ready," White
declared.
Sec KiretiRhlers on M
Phcio by Layla Farmct
Front row: Joy Lacy and Angie Richardson with (hack row ) Marlene Kostyrka , Amy
Harris and Danielle White.
DON'T
PASS
THE buck
BUY LOCAL
CNAMttfi