Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 March 2002 — Page 24

The Muncie Times. March 7, 2002, page 24

MLK Youth Leadership Awards

The Muncie Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and the MLK Dream Team presented 73 awards to the local youth who have made positive contributions in their church, school and community. Over 200 people attended the event which was held at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. Master of ceremony was Arttacgo Luckett. After the invocation led by Belinda Anderson, the audience was treated to 4 gospel selections by Generation Hope. Minister Terrance Bridges gave the keynote speech on the importance of striving for a meaningful future. Minister Bridges asked the audience to close their eyes and imagine that they were in a cemetery. He then instructed them to look at the tombstone and imagine their name on the marker. “What would be sa’d about you?” Bridges asked. He went on to say that on a tombstone is engraved the date of birth and the date of death. In between the two is a dash. The most important thing that will be said about you the most important thing that you do in your life will be the dash time,” Bridges

told the youthful audience. “If you want to be successful, get an education,” he said. Bridges is 20 years old. At the age of 15 he was licensed to preach. He is in his senior year at Taylor University, Ft. Wayne campus, he is CEO and founder of Kingdom Force International Ministries and he is a Gates Millennium Scholar. “When I filled out the application for the Bill Melinda Gates scholarships, I prayed over the application and by faith I was looking for

a good report,” said Bridges. The scholarship would afford a number of minority students to have their tuition and books paid in full throughout their undergraduate and postgraduate years. Out of the over 60,000 applicants Bridges was chosen as one of twenty minority students who received the first scholarship award. Part of the requirements is a minimum 3.3GPA, coupled with community service and a nomination from a high school teacher

or counselor. Bridges said, “I never thought that I would get to meet Bill Gates, but they flew me out to Seattle, Washington to do just that.” With God all thing are possible and he is no respecter of person. Micah Maxwell, assisted by Dick Shirey, awarded the students the Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Leadership Certificates. After the benediction led by Dr. Maria Williams Hawkins, MBE president, guests were treated to pizza and pop.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Youth Leadership honorees and Dream Team gives assistance in awarding the leadership their parents respond to musical message with applause. certificates.

Master of Ceremony for the event sponsored by the MLK Dream Team was Micah Maxwell. The awards program was held at Minnetrista Cultural Center.

Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins congratulates the youth. She is president of the Muncie Black Expo who provided pizzas and pop for the attendees.

Minister Terrance Bridges delivers Keynote speech to encourage and motivate youth to to dream and excel.

Last but not least, Bea Foster, owner/publisher of The Muncie Times, Commissioner, Indiana MLK Commission and chairperson of the MLK Dream Team.