Staff. Sgt. Byroo Brown .W. Mecklenburg grad Brown Completes AT CoHtroler Course By Teresa Simmons Post Managing Editor As a little boy, Byron Brown grew up believing that one day he would fly like the soaring birds. At that time, with one brother and three sisters, there wasn’t much money to pro vide him with special plane kits. Instead, he used his imagination. He took shoe boxes and sticks from trees. From there he shaved the sticks for wings, weiglied down the show boxes with clay and, believe it or not, made the superficial airplane fly. Later, he began buying his own models and build ing them. When high school days rolled around it seemed only natural for him to enter the Airforce ROTC program at West Mecklenburg High School. From his instructor, Lt. Colonel Ken Smith, be learned one of life’s most valuable lessons: “He al ways told me I could do anything I wanted to. Things will come if you work hard enough.” Thus we have a success story. Alter graduating and working one year for an insurance company, Sgt. Brown entered the Air Force as Airman First ~ elms Uwu stiipts). What ■ regularly takes two years to achieve he accomplished in eight months; he became a Senior Airman 1 (three stripes). For his fourth stripe, he was tested in two parts - one part about the general regula tions and history of the Air Force, and the second about his specific area. Our of 2,120 eligible, only 350 were promoted, and Sgt Brown placed 10th among those. His most recent adven ture was the completion of the Air Traffic Controllers’ School at the Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. As class leader and an honor graduate, Sgt. Brown’s average was 95. Now that Sgt. Brown has completed the Air Traffic Controllers School, he will become an Air Traffic Con troller at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville. He has decided what he wants from life. "I plan to go to college while I am in the Air Force and ac quire my degree in Airport Management. I also want to obtain my pilot’s iiiravc. a civilian, 2>gi. Brown would like to pursue a career as an Airport Manager. So far, he has shown limitless leadership abili ties. He was named “Main tenance Person of the Month” and was the day shift supervisor. During this time, the staffs pro duction and quality of work wed because of the ng programs instigat ed by Sgt. Brown. All of these accomplishments were reflected on Ms eval uations. Sgt. Brown is the son of Mary L. Brown of Char lotte. He la a member of Progressive Baptist Church Perhaps Sgt Brown’s from the confidence he has scquired from working hard. “I believe there are opportunities for everyone regardless of race. But you must work hard because nothing is given free to anyone.” t. v mu Wingate Awards Merit-Based Scholarships To Local Students Kristin J. Childers, Betsy Jo Petursoo, and Mary Lee Petty, all of Charlotte, have been awarded merit scholarships to Wingate College. Ms. Childers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. El den P. Childers, 4828 Westridge, Dr., Charlotte, received a renewable G. M. Stewart Scholarship valued at $500. A senior at Harding High School, Ms. Childers is a member of the Nation al Honor Society, Big Brother-Big 81810-, and Future Business Leaders of America. She was also a junior marshal and re ceived a DAR History Award. Ms. Childers plans to major in early childhood education at Wingate Col Ms. Petty, daughter of Mr. Roy Lee Petty, Jr. of Concord and Mrs. Rose mary P. Petty, 6100 Chan ning Court, Charlotte, re ceived a renewable 6500 G. M. Stewart Scholarship. A senior at Garinger High School, Ms. Petty is p member of the Science Club, French Club and Wildcat Club. She also plays basketball and soft ball for a church league, and she participated in an academic law internship. Ms. Petty plans to major in accounting at Wingate College, then pursue a career in law. Ms. Pearson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Joe Pearson, 9828 Pleasant View Lane, Charlotte, re ceived a renewable $300 W. M. Perry Scholarship. Ms. Pearson is a senior at Independence High School where she is a member of the National Honor So ciety, Fine Arts Honor Society, Spanish Club and Drama Club. For four years, she has been a member of the Youth Symphony of the Caro I-- ■ ■ . linas, and she was se lected for "Who’s Who Among High School Stu dentr” At Wingate, Ms. Pearson plans to atwjjr accounting. ''?*■'>« ITME m • •' ?■ .,’*'w/*v3l «**'.. , ■iijir*-a. <^r”“a ■y 1 ^Q^&SflJQOBD ^fl)S^yy> ■' FOR QUICK R1SULTS T r . • -. *m, - s • •><^*-*i^y\ „ 1 5.50, and assorted plush bunnies. 4.00-10.00^ Ivey’s Children's World V all stores except CotswolcP .* “ ... .. . ■]