From the September - October 2004 Issue
Outstanding Achiever - Clarence Hawkins
The Outstanding Achiever for this issue is Clarence A. Hawkins, Sr. of Rock Hall, MD, member of the Maryland State Board of Education for the last three years. A former pastor, school principal, and Kent County Commissoner, he was appointed to a four-year term on the State board by Gov. John Erlich in 2001.
Hawkins is a retired pastor and educator from Kent County. He has long been involved in public education and was a teacher and administrator in Maryland schools for more than 30 years. He was principal of Rock Hall Elementary and Rock Hall Middle Schools. Rev. Hawkins retired as pastor of Union Bethel AME Church in Denton, MD after 20 years in ministry. He has twice been an alternate delegate to the General Conference of the AME Church. Hawkins, who holds a Bachelor's Degree from Morgan State University and a Master's Degree from the University of Delaware, is also an artist and motivational speaker. He has also studied at the University of Maryland, John Hopkins University, Maryland Institute of Art, Washington College, and Chesapeake Community College.
A former President of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, Hawkins is the son of John B. and Cordley C. Hawkins and is married to Vera Weaver Hawkins.
More Outstanding Kent Countians
Kent County has produced several African Americans who have distinguished themselves in and around the County. One is our Outstanding Achiever for this issue - the Rev. Clarence A. Hawkins, Sr. of Rock Hall, MD. Three more of the outstanding personalities we found as we visited there are: County school board member and Director of Corrections for Queen Anne's County, MD LaMonte Cook, outstanding senior Lauretta M. Freeman, and County Council president William W. Pickrum.
LaMonte Cook |
William W. Pickrum |
News Summary:
First Majority Black Council Elected In Cambridge
The 2004 Cambridge City Council elections made history as long-time Commissioner Edward Watkins was reelected for a 5th term and two more African Americans joined him to make the five member council majority Black for the first time. Gilbert Cephus won the run-off election for Ward #3 and LaShan Brooks managed a surprise come-from-behind win in the run-off election for Ward #4.
Edward Watkins has represented the 2nd Ward on the City council for 35 years and served as its president for several years. He is a native of Cambridge and graduated from high school there. He earned his college degree from Howard University and worked as a social worker for the Department of Social Services until his retirement in 1984.
Gilbert Cephus is a native of Cambridge. He is a certified paralegal, and a grad-uate of the University of Maryland University College. He works for the united Food & Commercial Workers Union as a full time Union representative responsible for over 2200 people in MD, DE, PA, WV, VA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Cephus is also known as "Gil the Magnificent"; magician, comedian, and ventriloquist.
LaShan Brooks is also a native of Cambridge. She is a long-time employed of the Dorchester County Department of Social Services, where she is a Supervisor for "In Home" programs. A graduate of Sojourner Douglas College, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Edward E. Watkins City Commission for Ward #2 |
LaShan M. Brooks City Commission for Ward #4 |
Gilbert Cephus City Commission for Ward #3 |
Mark Thompson To Direct Westside Salvation Army
Mark Thompson of Salisbury has been named the new director of Salisbury's Westside Salvation Army. He replaces Maria Barner who has taken a position in the Washington, D.C. Department of Recreation and Parks. Thompson is leaving a suc-cessful career at Federal Express to follow his dream of working with youth.
A native of Erie, PA, Thompson is the son of Rev. Fred & Frances Thompson.
Bennie Smith Scholarship Recipients Are Named
The five recipients of the Bennie Smith Scholarships for 2004 are: Charnita Lee Johnson of Chestertown, MD, Kenneth George Roach of Dover, DE, Ashley Melissa White of Mardela, MD , Jamar Kentrell Walker of Onancock, VA, and Parren Douglas Fountain of Milford, DE.
MD Emancipation Day Celebration in Trapp, MD
Every year in early October, the quiet Main Street of the small town of Trappe, located midway between Easton and Cambridge, is transformed to festivity for the Nace's Day Parade. The pageant is part of a unique commemoration of Maryland Emancipation Day. Originated in 1867 by a former slave named Nathanial Hopkins (affectionately known as "Uncle Nace"), the event is the longest continuously running celebration on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
This year's event will be held on October 9th, beginning with a church service at 10:00 a.m., a visit to Nathaniel Hopkins' gravesite at noon, plenty of good food, and of course the parade, scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Scotts United Methodist Church at 410-476-3980 or sumc@goeaston.net.
Three New Head Coaches Start At UMES
UMES welcomed three new Head Coaches to its Dept. of Athletics. They are Lawrence Lessett Jr. as Head Men's Basketball Coach, Fred M. Batchelor II as Head Women's Basketball Coach, and Alex I. Temkin as Head Women's Volleyball Coach. Each one brings with him a wealth of experience.
Celebration Of 118th Year Set For Sept 19-25
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will celebrate its 118th birthday with a week of activities beginning September 19th with a church service a the Metropolitan United Methodist church in Princess Anne.
Founders' Day Celebration Light Night will be held at the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts on September 20th at 7pm.
Sample-Hughes To Head 145 Legion Auxiliary
The Spirit of Democracy American Legion Auxiliary Unit #145 in Salisbury recently elected Sheree Sample-Hughes as its president for 2004-2005. She was the 1st Vice President of the Unit last year and has held national positions in the AL Auxiliary.Sheree is the daughter of Stephanie Sample and the late James Sample. A graduate of Parkside High School in Salisbury, she earned her bachelor's degree from Delaware State University. She is employed with the Wicomico Partnership for Children & Families.
Goslee Elected Golden Circle State President
The Maryland Grand (State) Assembly of the Order of the Golden Circle recently elected Sylvia Goslee as its State Grand Loyal Lady for 2004-2006. Active in the Prince Hall Masonry, she is a member of Friendship Chapter #57 of the Order of the Eastern Star and John H. Jones Chapter #287 of the Order of the Golden Circle, of which she is past chapter president.A San Domingo native, Mrs. Goslee is also a member of Sharptown Columbia American Legion Auxiliary Unit #269 there and has been its president. She rose to the president of the Department (State) in 2001. Mrs. Goslee has also been district president and held National committee positions in the ALA.
Jones-Evans Is Elected To Head Baptist Association
The Rev. Dean Allan Jones-Evans was recently elected to serve as moderator of the Progressive Baptist Association of the Eastern Shore, Inc. The Association includes eleven Baptist churches in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
Evans is the pastor of St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church located in West Post Office near Princess Anne, MD. He served as the Vice Moderator and Dean of Christian Education for the Progressive Baptist Association of the Eastern Shore last year. He has been active in outreach ministries. Having written a 12-step book, "Recovering Adults Through Christ", he was director of a Salvation Army substance abuse program in LA and has directed programs to combat drug and gang violence. He currently administers the Recovering Adults through Christ program in Somerset County.
Evans is also the manager of The Car Store located on North Salisbury Blvd., in Salisbury.
