Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 November 2000 — Page 6
PAGE A6
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2000
Indy youth write about the legacy Rev. Mozel Sanders left behind
Special to The Recorder The following essays pay tribute to the late community activist Rev. Mozel Sanders who died on Sept. 1, 1998. Sanders served as pastor of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church and was best known for founding his annual citywide Thanksgiving dinner in 1974. Jama Riley High School Level - North Central High School let Place —$1,000 Scholarship Empowering our communities *$jfe is like a box of chocolates. Yflp never know what you are going to get,” said Forrest Gump. Aq9 this statement, simple though it £>ay be, sums up the human expejfence in a profound way. Daily, people are subjected to traumas adjtcatastrophes beyond their contrd$ which plummet them into povetif . Without someone to care, -4
someone to lend a helping hand these people could become lost souls, go hungry, or die needlessly. It is our mission, indeed our responsibility as human beings—no matter color, race, or ethnicity — to aid such people. Mozel Sanders realized his responsibility to his fellow humans. He saw that while others were enjoying plenty of food with their families, there were many going hungry. In order to help those people, he established the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner in 1974 to feed 100 people. Gradually it grew to feed, in 1984, 14,000 people. Sanders became a catalyst in his community. He became a leader leaving a legacy of self-sacrifice that we, as young people, must strive to continue. Although it may sometimes seem impossible to help others, it is well within our realm of ability. We have only to identify a need in our communities and take progressive steps to help alleviate it for, as the proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.” In my community I
have noticed that, on a large scale. Black children have no interest in their history. This apathy can mostly be attributed to the facts that teachers teach very little Black history and, when they do, fail to make it interesting. I plan to teach Black children about themselves and their history. Such knowledge will enable them to realize that there is nothing that they can dream which they cannot, with effort, make happen, thus empowering the African-American community. Danla Corredor Junior High School Level - Gambold Middle School 1st Place — $200 Savings Bond Keep the Sanders tradition alive Mozel Sanders was bom on May 25,1924. He died on Sept. 1,1998 in Illinois, but spent his early life in Canton, Miss. Mozel Sanders is known for the annual city wide Thanksgiving dinner. His first dinner’s origin was in
1974. Mozel began by just serving a miniature group then every year it grew. The final Thanksgiving dinner, before Mozel’s death, was in 1988. It was estimated that about 16,000 people were fed and there were about 2,000 volunteers. In 19%, the supporters of Mozel Sanders’ dinner estimated that more than 30,000 people were fed with 5,000 helpers. Mozel Sanders began a great tradition for a lot of people! ' I cherish Mozel Sanders legacy and someday when I grow up I want to be one of the volunteers in the Thanksgiving feast. I would do this because Mozel Sanders needs to have this dinner continue for years to come since he was a thoughtful man. So my goal is to assist with the ritual. Mozel Sanders was a great role model! I think more people should get up and do something for their community. It makes a big difference even if it doesn’t seem like it. I think more people every year will realize what Mozel has done for us. He deserves to be honored for giving Indianapolis this wonderful tra-
dition! Brozen Winters Elementary Level - The School 1st Place — $100 Savings Bond Mozel Sanders and how you can be a change agent and make your. community better Mozel Sanders was a religious teacher that believed in feeding the needy as well as teaching them about God. Perhaps, he read the account recorded in the Bible when Jesus fed crowds of people. This example is given in Matthew 14: 14-32. This Scripture says, “He said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Next he commanded the crowds to recline on the grass and took five loaves and two fish, and, looking up to heaven, he said a blessing, and after breaking the loaves he distributed to the disciples in turn to the crowds.” Mozel Sanders by trying to fol-
low Jesus’ example started a dinner that takes place every Thanksgiving Day. Today the dinner feeds over 25,000 people a year. Mozel Sanders was something a lot of people would call a change agent. A change agent is somebody who changes other people’s lives. I think that it would be good if everyone in the world would try to do such wonderful things for and to other unfortunate people. A need that I can see in my community would be to visit the men and women in the different nursing homes located near my house. This would be good be-. cause they really get lonesome and. they would like a visitor, not nurse or doctor but an actual friend.’ ’ Not only a friend, but also some-; one willing to care for their feel-.; ings and thoughts. By doing this, I A believe that I will not only please a lot of people, but make them feel secure about themselves and their attitudes. Mozel Sanders was a good example for people who are able to reach out and help other ' people.
education £
Ajjfer-school programs jifter-school programs forchildrfeft and youth are continuing at th^:Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. M$ti-Service Center. The progrt^tis will continue through June Jfhere will also be activities scj^duled over winter and spring brinks. The programs, for ages 5 to:^5, meet daily from 3 to 6 p.m. an$on some Saturdays. Cost is Sfjjifper week or $60 each month. ^fhere are opportunities for finapcial assistance if needed. Stop bv^ie center located at 40 W. 40th St&>r call 923-4581 ext. 246 for school age child care; ext. 234 for the teen program.
Ron Brown Scholarship program The Ron Brown Scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who are academically talented and highly motivated. Applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent academics, exceptional leadership potential, financial need and impact their communities through activities and service to others. Candidates must be pursuing full-time undergraduate degrees. Awards are $10,000 per year for four years. For more information, call (804) 964-1588, contact the sponsor by e-mail: [email protected] or log on to www.RonBrown.org. Ron Brown Scholarship Program, 1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 306-B, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Minority Teacher and Special Education Services Scholarship Program The Minority Teacher and Spe-
cial Education Services Scholarship Program 2000-2001 is offering scholarships for minority students (defined as Black or Hispanic) seeking teaching certification, special education teaching certification, or occupational or physical therapy certification. The application deadline is set by each institution. For more information, scholarship guidelines or an application, call the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana
(SSACI) at 232-2350.
Shortridge class of 1961
seeks classmates
In preparation for its 40 year reunion activities in June 2001, the reunion committee for the Shortridge High School class of 1961 is actively seeking lost members. Addresses and contacts are missing for about 200 classmates. Members of the class of 1961 are urged to contact Ellen Brodey Simon at 257-6968 or by e-mail:
There is much to be thankful for, if we just take advantage of opportunities
t»i? f.T
What do we have to be thankful for in the field of education? We often take things for granted and overlook the many opportunities that are passed our way. We often pray or ask for the “outcome” to a particular situation, as opposed to being grateful for receiving the “opportunity.” Opportunities are not passed by; they are passed on to someone
else.
“The Little Rock Nine”
became a world wide name in 1957. This is wjteq nine Black teen-agers were chosen to be the
Education Does Matter By Leroy Robinson
our young people have to be successful? Public education is
free. Public libraries are free. The
museums offer at least one free day a week for those in the
h
'<
/c
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When Opportunity Knocks Will You Be Ready?
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Wednesday, November 29,2000
University Place Conference Center 850 West Michigan Street On the campus of IUPUI Tha Coat Attend the morning session FREE The afternoon lunch and exhibitor networking reception is $30.00 Indianapolis International Airport BAA Indianapolis, LLC City of Indianapolis Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce
community. They can check out
first to integrate all white Central free library books, videos, and High School in Little Rock, Ark. tapes. They have access to the
These young Black students were spat upon, kicked, beaten and threatened with death. However, they continued on after being given the opportunity to integrate the first public school in the
state.
To many, this may not appear to be an intelligent route to take. However, these students knew that Central HS had the best facilities, resources, and academic support. At home, they had the strong family support base to weather the storm. They were making the commitment because they wanted to achieve more on the academic level. These young people had the opportunity to make history and to attend one of the best academic high schools in the state of Arkansas. Out of all of the reasons they, could have used to “not” attend CHS, they choose none. How many opportunities do
Internet, the World Wide Web, which has an abundance of information. They also have access to a television, which can
be used as a learning
tool.
They have people of color in just about every career field and job specific area as possible. They have the opportunity to go to most any college or university in the country, free of charge. They can go to a majority white school. Black school, or mixed school. They can attend a Catholic school, Jesuit school, or home school. They have the opportunity to be involved in hundreds of different extracurricular activities, inside or outside of the school environment. Again, many of these activities are offered to our young people free of charge. The question remains is why don’t our young people take full
advantage of these, and the many ^ other, opportunities that are , presented to them? Are they not , grateful? Are they not thankful ,
for having these opportunities? Are they not aware of their
history in the field of education? ’ __ Or are they just not aware of the ' •
many opportunities that they do
have? ,f;
The parents of “The Little
Rock Nine” gave them a vision. 1 * They instilled in them the vision :■>
to look beyond their current condition. They also guided them through one of the most hostile and violent times in our American history. A time when the opportunities to succeed in any field of choice were far fewer than they are today. Having the freedom to think my own thoughts. Having the confidence to speak my own mind. Having the opportunity to write my on views. And having the ability to dream about a brighter future is what I am
thankful for.
I am thankful for having the ^ opportunity to choose my career path and live my dreams. And most importantly, as a parent, I '?* am forever thankful that I have ;«j the opportunity to instill this ;«• same vision in the minds of my two most important students, my;!j
children.'
Send your comments to me at: , • [email protected] * • or write me at: 9701 E. 63rd St., X Indianapolis, IN. 46236. Or call ‘ • me at 317-393-2188 **
* *
Schools plannning to add manners to code of conduct!
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ELLETTSVILLE, Ind. (AP) Saying “please” and “thank you” isn’t merely polite at Edgewood High School. It’s about to become part of the curriculum. Beginning in the 2001-2002 school year, manners will be an official part of the student handbook at Edgewood and 11 other schools in Indiana and Nebraska. “Opening the door for someone, saying ‘thank-you’ and ‘please,’ it’s not required like when we were kids. We have slipped in our homes and in our schools and in our society in how we treat one another," principal Dirk Ackerman said. The Richland-Bean Blossom and Spencer-Owen school districts are taking part in a threeyear project funded by a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help wMi violence prevention.
The code of manners will be written by teachers and students. Once the system is introduced, posters around the schools will promote monthly themes such as responsibility, caring and citizenship. Some schools in each district have already introduced man-ners-related reforms. McCormick’s Creek Elementary has adopted an anti-bullying policy. Owen Valley Junior High started a student-produced school television program on life skills. Owen Valley High School set up an “intervention room” so disruptive or upset students have a place to cool off. “Good things have come out of this,” said Marsha TurnerShear, Spencer-Owen assistant superintendent. Officials at Edgewood High School learned that students generally feel safe at school, but
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“there is a lot of discourteous, rude behavior,” Ackerman said, If students violate the code, teachers will point out their mistakes. If a student begins arguing about the infraction, teachers may assign that student
a 15-minute after-school deten- !«J
tion to discuss the behavior. “Some people might think we , * J
are trying to force values on kids; • *
and we are not doing that,” Ackerman said. “But in society, there is a way we should respect and treat one another. We need to help create responsible and mature kids that graduate from
our school.”
The plan sadpa short of teaching table manners. “It probably won’t extend to etiquette,” Ackerman said. “We don’t want to bite off more than
we can chew.”
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