BAXLEY — The 20th annual W.A. and Earnestine Myles Scholarship Fund and Memorial Day was held here recently at the Parker-Harrell Resource Center.
Scholarships were presented to Endia Smith of Pierce County, Kamari Strozier of Bacon County, Markayla Edwards of Ware County, Paisley Simmons of Ware County, Sarah Darsey of Appling County, Jianna Fowler of Atkinson County, Shan Franklin of Clinch County, Jaden Scott of Wayne County, Kenyon Johnson of Long County, Zion Johnson of Atkinson County, Kalli Douglas of Cofffee County, Kalissa Gilliard of Coffee County and Danarius Johnson of Pierce County.
All received a $300 grant and a certificate of achievement.
The Myles’ were educators in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Coffee, Long, Pierce, Ware and Wayne counties.
Scholarships were presented by the Myles’ children including Missionary Ardrelle Myles Sutton, Elder Joyce Moore, Elder Jacqueline Wallace, Sis. Roberta Sholston, Bishop Frank Myles, Willie Myles, Dorothy Stanley and the late Walter Myles and the late Joseph Myles. Moore was unable to attend due to health problems.
The dedication was made to local educators and community members including the Rev. Elzie Hayes Jr., Patricia Rouse, Carolyn Reaves, Carolyn Wade, Betty Mincey, Rufus McDuffie (a former coach at Pierce County), Alberta King and Norma Ervin. The oldest educator was Betty Mincey, 88 years old.
A souvenir booklet was presented to each of those receiving the dedication.
The Myles Family Choir sang selections including “Jesus, How I Love Calling your Name”, “If You’ve Got God in Your Life, What More Do you Need” , “Praise The Lord” and “We’ll Sing Over Yonder.”
The greetings and addresses were given by Myles family representatives. Special guest recognized was Dr. Janet Goodman, superintendent of Appling County Schools.
Afterward an inspiring message was given to the scholarship recipients by Carlos Rooks, Jr. Rooks is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia who currently works at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Rooks related his experiences in school.
“I was not the smartest or the most athletic, but I didn’t quit,” he said.
Rooks centered his remarks around that theme, relating how he didn’t take advanced placement classes in high school at first, but realized he would need them to get in to college. He told the recipients he had been bullied in school and had to take remedial math in college.
“I didn’t quit. You shouldn’t quit either,” he declared.
Betty Mincey, 88, was the oldest educator present. She is shown with Frank Myles. SPECIAL PHOTO
