Group to honor 18 minority scholars
6/4/2007Shawn Lane said he was proud of his swim team's accomplishments at St. John's Jesuit High School, where he served as the first African-American captain of the Titans team in the pool this past school year.
The Lane youth, who lettered three years on the swim team at St. John's, is one of 18 minority youths who will be recognized by 50 Men and Women of Toledo Inc. during its annual scholarship banquet Friday at the Great Hall of the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. The program begins at 6:45 p.m., said James C. Caldwell, founder and longtime president of 50 Men and Women.
Roughly $100,000 in scholarships will be awarded to minority students during the program, one of the largest in northwest Ohio.
Young Lane said he was one of two African-Americans on the team of roughly 20 that finished sixth in the state in Division I at the Ohio High School Swimming Championships back in February, but said it was nothing unusual for him.
"I've always been the minority," he said. "It's something I'm used to."
Inspired by his freshman math teacher, the youth said he wants to use his scholarship to attend John Carroll University, in the Cleveland area, and become a math teacher.
He will be recognized with classmates Allen Boyd II, who will attend Xavier University in Cincinnati, and Jarrell Terrell, who will enroll at the University of Toledo.
Sidney Ribeau, president of Bowling Green State University, will be the banquet's keynote speaker. Mr. Ribeau also addressed 50 Men and Women Scholarship winners in 1997.
Mr. Caldwell said Mr. Ribeau's presence as an African-American university president has an impact on students.
"We tried to get him last year, but he was not available," Mr.
Caldwell said.
"I think he will bring a dramatic message to the table for the students and it's one they need to hear."
Other winners, including their high schools and the colleges that they will be attending, are:
•Krystyn Davis, of Libbey High School, who will attend the University of Detroit Mercy; Briana and Brittany Funches, both from Libbey, will both attend Ohio State University, and Tiara Wright, also of Libbey, who will attend the University of Toledo.
•Annesha Ali and Brittany Pendleton, both of Scott High School, who will attend the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University, respectively.
•Karissa Peoples, of Bowsher High School, will attend Marquette University, Milwaukee, while classmates Jessica Thomas will attend Ohio State University and Savun Phommalee will attend Goshen College in Indiana.
•Adriele Parker, of Maumee Valley Country Day School, is to attend New York University in New York City.
•Taylor Rhodes, of Central Catholic High School, will attend the University of Michigan, while classmate Glenn Burel plans to enroll at the University of Toledo. Raffiel McCloud, of Waite High School, will attend the University of Cincinnati.
•Tiffany Bell, of Start High School, and Enjoli Henry, of Rogers High School, both will attend the University of Toledo.
Contact Clyde Hughes at:
chughes@theblade.com
or 419-724-6095.