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Thirtienth Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner
If
everyone in this world had the same attitude, the same persona, and the
same outlook on life, then I could only imagine the confusion and animosity
that would exist. Thankfully, we are all created with will power, intuition,
and intellect. These things, among many other qualities make the place
we live in what it is today.
Some people
choose to let their gifts and abilities take a back seat in all their endeavors,
while others use their capabilities to evoke positive change in their lives and
the lives of many others.
Dr. Harold
Afiriyie and Sarah Woode Foundation epitomize the meaning of helping others.
They are driven by the power and ability to do good unto others. This desire
was definitely obvious at Sarah Woode Foundation’s thirteenth Annual Awards
Dinner, which was held on Saturday April 22, 2006.
The dark and
rainy day turned out to be a joyous occasion. The evening opened as Ernst Etienne
clad in black and white made his way to the podium. He delivered a very warm
welcome and appreciation to all family members, friends, distinguished guests,
and new awardees for attending the event.
The night continued with the glorious sounds of the National Anthem, followed by the invocation. Next, was the principal, Mr. Doran. As usual, he extended his sincere greetings to the guests and remarked about the tremendous work that the foundation does for its scholars at Nazareth. He also granted his support and looked forward to welcoming the new awardees in the coming school year. Before the savory idea of dinner started to take over, the guest speaker, Ms. Emmanuella Delva delivered her address. She is a former SWF scholar and a Nazareth graduate from the class of 1998. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in the Biochemistry, Cell and Development Biology Program at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
She
emphasized the need for all scholars work hard at achieving their goals.
Determination was her only method to reach success. Ms. Delva carefully
explained the struggles she encountered, some rejections she met, but “giving
up” never was and never will be an option. She advised of some of
the expectations that may confront them while in college. Remembering,
being smart does not eliminate any challenge, it is winning the challenge
that matters. Her astounding remarks seemed to have touched guests who
applauded favorably towards the end.
Before the savory idea of dinner started to take over, the guest speaker,
Ms. Emmanuella Delva delivered her address. She is a former SWF scholar
and a Nazareth graduate from the class of 1998. She is currently a Doctoral
Candidate in the Biochemistry, Cell and Development Biology Program at
Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
After
such a remarkable speech, it was definitely hard to top. It was now time
for the graduating seniors and a parent of a graduating senior to read
their testimonials about how the foundation has helped them over their
four years at Nazareth. Next was the purpose of the entire evening, the
presentation of scholarship awards to six new students and the renewal
of twenty-one currently recipients ranging from high school to college.
The scholarships range from $2000.00 to $3000.00. The parental awards
went to Ms. Wendy Watson and Ms. Karlyne Mills, parents of Gayle Watson
(06) and Justin Cadet (07). Last, but not least, was the recitation of
the foundation’s pledge with pride by all scholarship recipients.
The evening climaxed with a vote of thanks by the Founder and President, Dr. Harold Afiriyie. The remaining time was left to dine and dance. In essence, everyone had a great time, and we surely look forward to next year’s event.
Sarah Woode Scholars Graduate
By Lauren Marfo ‘06
Sarah Woode Scholar
The 15th Commencement exercise for Nazareth Regional High School was celebrated on Saturday, June 10, 2006. As a Sarah Woode scholar, I am pleased to say that out of the class of 2006, nine distinguished students are SWF scholars, two of which were honored as co-Salutatorians and one as Valedictorian.
As all graduations, the morning began with the normal jubilance
in the atmosphere. The auditorium, filled with cheering friends and family
could not match the happiness that all the graduating seniors felt. The ceremony
began with the musical procession followed by the playing of the National Anthem.
Nazareth Regional High School Principal Mr. Peter Doran made a welcome speech
making it clear that it was the second time in Nazareth history that there
were two Salutatorians tying for the same place with the same exact exemplary
school and academic records. It is with overwhelming joy to see SWF scholars
Cynthia Francois and Alicia Hinkson as Salutatorians and Gillian Flowers as
Valedictorian.
Cynthia
Francois spoke first in a rather powerful speech straight from the heart. It
gave me goose bumps to hear her speak of her four years starting out as a naive
freshman and ending as a mature senior, ready to be a productive member of
society. Francois talked about how Nazareth has become a second home for her
filled with memories and life lessons she will take with her to the future.
She ended her speech by thanking God, her parents, and friends for helping
her make it through the tough times. Francois will be attending SUNY at Stonybrook
in the fall of 2006.
Following
Francois was the second Salutatorian, Alicia Hinkson. As several of her family
members cheered for her during her speech, she gave her inspiring speech on
her adventure through the four years. What touched me the most was when Hinkson
talked about the many obstacles she had to face and how she would not have
made it thus far without perseverance. Hinkson closed her speech with two great
quotes, one of which was a Japanese proverb, “Fall seven times, stand
up eight”. Hinkson will be attending Brooklyn College in the fall of
2006.
The speeches
were rounded out with, last but not least, the Valedictorian Gillian Flowers,
the number one rank for the whole senior class. Flowers gave the seniors encouragement
for the future that lies ahead and talked about the importance of achieving
one’s goals. Flowers will be attending St. John’s University in
the fall of 2006.
Next was
the distribution of the diplomas. The names could hardly be heard as the whole
auditorium went wild as each name was called. Following that, the Outstanding
Scholar Award was presented to Gillian Flowers.
Our distinguished
Alumnus and guest speaker, Jonathan Ford ‘84, gave a poignant and inspiring
speech emphasizing that we should seize life for what it’s worth now,
because it can be gone in an instant. The closing prayer from Campus Minister
and Religion teacher Ms. Rose-anne Simms-bey urged the graduates to put God
first for the road ahead. The joyous ceremony ended with Mr. Peter Doran when
he said an important parting phrase, a phrase known throughout the Xaverian
Brothers tradition that reminded the graduates to “Fall in love with
the service of God”. As a SWF scholar, I am humbled to say congrats to
the SWF scholars for a job well done. Keep being leaders, never follow, and
remember that “small drops yield mighty oceans”.
Sarah Woode Scholar
Graduate Profiles
Alora Alexander
“Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you
can’t be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the
line and get him to inspire his people.” – Lee Iacocca.. “Dr.
Afiriyie and SWF has inspired and motivated me to be what I am today”.
Academic Awards*
Spanish
Citizenship and Community Service Awards
St. Johns women in science
Extracurricular Awards
Dance Team
Liturgical Dance
Senior Activities
Science Club
Scholarships
Fisk University
Living Water Book Scholarship
~Alora will be attending Fisk University in the fall~
Gillian Flowers
“SWF has allowed me to get a quality education and to meet those with interest similar to mine”.
Academic Awards*
National Honor Society
English
Science
Extracurricular Awards
Math League
Science Club
Scholarships
St. John’s University
~Gillian will be attending St. John’s University in the fall~
Major: Pre-Computer Science
Cynthia Francois
“SWF has enabled me to mature into a young adult who is ready and waiting to face the world head on”.
Academic Awards*
French – Special Recognition
English – Silver medal
Calculus – Silver medal
Band – medal
Salutatorian Award
National Honor Society medal
President’s Education Award
Women in Science Society – Certificate
Extracurricular Awards
Varsity Softball
Science Club
~Cynthia will be attending Stonybrook University in the fall~
Major: Pre-medicine
Lauren Marfo
“SWF has been a factor in my high school career because it has matured me and made me realize my potential in the science field. It has also made me more interested in pursuing a science career”.
Academic Awards*
National Honor Society
Religion
Citizenship and Community Service Awards
St. Charles Lwanga
Extracurricular Awards
XBSS Retreat leader
Yearbook
Science Club
Scholarships
Syracuse University
Sarah Woode Foundation
~Lauren will be attending Syracuse University in the fall~
Major: Pre-medicine
Wileen Saint-Louis
“Sarah Woode Foundation has motivated me throughout my high school career. Every time I felt that I couldn’t go any further SWF was there to push me to my limits”.
Academic Awards*
National Honor Society
St. John’s University Women in Science
French – Gold medal
Citizenship and Community Service Awards
District 17 Citizenship Award
~Wileen will be attending Brooklyn College in the fall~
Major:Pre-medicine
Nana Sintim-Misa
“Just as Alexander the Great was intellectually nurtured by Aristotle,
I too have been given the wings to soar above and beyond academic expectations,
thanks to the priceless support of Dr. Afiriyie and SWF”.
Academic Awards*
National Honor Society
Earth Science – Certificate
Chemistry – Certificate
Principal’s List – 2004 & 2005
Citizenship and Community Service Awards
Cornell University
Extracurricular Awards
Yearbook – Gold Medal
Science Club
Scholarships
Cornell University
~Nana will be attending Cornell University in the fall~
Major: Statistics
Gayle Watson
“SWF has prepared me to have a strong and prosperous future. It has taught
me to never settle for good. From now on, I will always strive until my good
is better and my better best”.
Academic Awards*
National Honor Society
Outstanding Academic Achievement
Merit Roll
Chemistry – St. Johns Women in Science Award
Best of Brooklyn Student
Citizenship and Community Service Awards
Crown and Shield
Brooklyn Community Board #17
Extracurricular Awards
Retreat Leader
XBBS
Science Club
~Gayle will be attending Seton Hall University in the fall~
Major: Speech Language Pathology & Audiology