June 18, 2009 10:12 pm
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By VANESSA WELCH
vanessa.welch@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — Local educators and those who empower youth along with students who demonstrate excellence will be recognized during the African American Heritage Committee’s 11th annual gala this Saturday.
This year’s theme is “Yes We Can,” inspired by President Barack Obama’s campaign slogan. The gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
“We have great teachers educating our kids and just doing a good job,” Elbert Cain of the committee said. “We just try to show our appreciation for them allowing our youth to better themselves through athletics and education. Not only are some of them great educators, but we just thank them so much for having a place for kids to go to.”
Those being recognized for their service are the Rev. Jeffrey Campbell Sr., the Rev. James Gordon, Dr. Kevin Settle, Patrick Rice and Robert Brown.
— Campbell, formerly of Centralia and the son of the late William and Wylean Campbell, is married to Anjie (McWilliams) Campbell. They have been married 14 years and have six children.
“I gained my morals and values from my parents who raised eight children and impressed upon all of us at an early age that service and a love for God are the keys to a fulfilling life,” Campbell stated.
After receiving theological training and a bachelors degree in rehabilitation services, Campbell eventually became pastor of Pavey Chapel CME Church, and has worked with the United Methodist Children’s Home with the YouthBuild Program, and is currently the Treatment Supervisor of the Transitional Living Program. He is a member of the JCSA summer youth softball program, Mt. Vernon District 80 School Board and FOE lodge in Mt. Vernon.
— Brown recently retired after devoting 41 years of service to his career at Mt. Vernon Township High School, Edison Grade School and Rend Lake College.
He is a member and deacon of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, member of the Mt. Vernon Fire and Police Commission, National Teachers Association, Illinois Teachers Association, Mt. Vernon Teachers Association, Mt. Vernon Elks lodge, former member of the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital Board of Associates and a counselor emeritus of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.
Brown is married to Veronica and they have raised three children: Bobby and wife Sharon; Rodney and wife Carmel; and Hilary. Their grandchildren are Chanda, Dacia and Rodney Jr.
— Settle and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Mt. Vernon in 1977 to teach math at Webber Township High School. He served as principal at Webber for three years before he became the Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools for Hamilton and Jefferson Counties. In 1994 he became the Assistant Superintendent for District 80 Mount Vernon City Schools, and has served as Superintendent the past seven years.
He was honored as the Illinois Superintendent of the Year in 2007 and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He serves on the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission, Mt. Vernon Rotary Club, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Board of Associates, Boy Scouts Advisory Board and is a trustee for the First United Methodist Church.
The Settles have two children, Jared and Hillary.
— The Rev. Gordon began his ministry while serving in the U.S. Army between 1976 and 1977. He was ordained as a minister in 1980 and founded Southtown Apostolic Church and Youth Programs in 1986. Southtown provides support and some direct services for 300 youth and their families each month, and with the efforts of volunteers and community leaders, it has generated more than $11 million in programs and improvements for residents living on the south side of Mt. Vernon.
Gordon volunteers in many organizations including the Governor’s African American Family Commission, Illinois State Treasurer Advisory Council and Illinois Council of Area Projects.
The Rev. Gordon has been married to his wife, Shirley, for 32 years and together they have four children: James Jr., Chad, Steffen and Tiffany.
— A native of East St. Louis, Rice has more than 10 years in education experience. He currently works as the principal of J.L. Buford Intermediate Center and adjunct professor for McKendree College. He sponsors the Male Mentoring program and oversees many educational activities. In the past, he sponsored clubs including Future Teachers of America, Student Council, Speech and Debate Club and Teen Speak Out.
In 2003, Rice was inducted as a member of Phi Delta Kappa and also was inducted as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc., the following year. He is also a current member of the Mt. Vernon Rotary club. He attends Pavey Chapel CME Church and Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church where he serves as the assistant minister.
Rice and his wife, Crystal (Richardson) Rice, have two daughters: Diamond and Emerald.
Outstanding youth who will be recognized include Sabrina Hunter, Praize Campbell, Destiny Panega and Christopher Singh Jr.
— Hunter is the daughter of James and Athena, and has an older sister, Courtney. She will be in the sixth grade at J.L. Buford Intermediate Center this fall. Her interests include animals and school.
— Campbell attends Casey Junior High and is involved with the Minority Teacher Identification and Enrichment Program, track, softball, cross country, band and chorus. She is the daughter of Jeff and Anjie and has five brothers and sisters.
— Panega will be going into the third grade at the Primary Center this year. She has three older brothers and is the daughter of Charles and Dimitria. Her interests include praise dancing, school, her dog, Oscar, art, shopping, reading, swimming and biking.
The committee will also be honoring MVTHS science teacher Angela Box as Teacher of the Year. Box has taught at the high school for six years, received her National Board Certification last year and will soon earn her master’s degree in science education.
Box is the wife of Western Michigan University Assistant Women’s Basketball coach, Glenn Box, and they have three children: Darius, William and Auna. Box stated her future goals are to remain “a dedicated wife, mother and dedicated teacher while living a life that’s pleasing to God.”
During the gala, academic achievement scholarships will be awarded to Mariah Fleming and Jasmine Hawthorne.
The daughter of Meka (Jones) Hooper and Eric Hawthorne, Jasmine will attend Rend Lake College and plans to pursue nursing. Her interests include reading, helping people and taking care of her daughter, Janiya.
Fleming, the daughter of Steve and Marshana, will be attending Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis on a full basketball and academic scholarship this fall. She plans to major in pre-med or dentistry and enjoys swimming, playing with children, drawing, traveling, shopping and basketball. She has two brothers, Steven and Stetzen, and a Chihuahua.
This year Deborah Merriwether will be the keynote speaker. Before becoming an independent sales director for Mary Kay, Inc., Merriwether taught speech in East St. Louis. Currently, she leads and mentors a sales force of nearly 100 women who are known as “The Dynasty Unit” for Mary Kay, and her unit consistently ranks in the upper 25 percent of all units in her region.
Entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by Corinthian Baptist Church Praise Team, William Box and the Rev. Wesley Neal.
Tickets for the gala will be available at the door or by contacting Cain at 237-8161.
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