ABOVE: MLK Scholarship winner Miles S.L. Crosby Receives his certificate from MLK Committee member Elder Tyson Parks. Looking on is guest speaker Dr. Dwight Ford, from Rock Island’s Project Now and Grace City Church.
Monday’s (Jan 19th) annual Martin Luther King, Jr Day Community Wide Celebration Service took place at St. James United Methodist Church. Schlarman Academy senior Miles Crosby was awarded the MLK Committee’s $6,000 scholarship. Crosby read his winning essay for those in attendance, and much of it was about reaching out to other people and accepting them for who they are, despite differences. He shared with CIMG afterwards his story about a friend who had arrived from another country, whom others were a little hesitant to talk with.
AUDIO: They didn’t know how to talk to him. So, whenever I got the chance; he came to my strength and conditioning class. So I would just bring him in; try to get comfortable with him, have him comfortable with everybody. And, it just shows how we’re all human. And even if you come from a place very far away; we’re all human, and we’re all the same.
Currently, Crosby is considering the chance to play baseball at a variety of junior colleges. He plans to major in business, and minor in exercise science.
(1st Picture) Schlarman Academy Senior Miles Crosby delivers his scholarship winning essay. (2nd Picture) DHS Senior Timothy Long, who received a $1,500 grant in the MLK Scholarship competition, accepts his certificate from the committee’s Elder Tyson Parks. (3rd Picture) Guest speaker Dr. Dwight Ford, from Rock Island’s Project Now and Grace City Church, begins his message.
Meanwhile, the scholarship committee also awarded a $1,500 grant to DHS senior Timothy Long. He told CIMG after the service what his essay was about.
AUDIO: The Bible talks about how everybody was created equally. And that we all need to genuinely lead like how Jesus led, and live like he lived as well; and love everybody equally.
Long is currently looking at a variety of Illinois schools for possibly punting and kicking on the football team, and majoring in physical therapy.
(Middle Picture) Brenda Brown delivers a solo performance of “Amazing Grace.”
Guest speaker Dr. Dwight Ford delivered a very powerful message about how more bridges need to be built to reach the service’s theme of “Equals in Humanity.” He says currently “the bridges are collapsed, the cliffs are high, the water is cold, and people are struggling.” He also mentioned that in the Preamble to the Constitution, “Justice” is mentioned before “Domestic Tranquility” for a reason.
AUDIO: I think so many times people assume that justice is a reality because it’s on paper. Because our constitution has everything to do with citizenship. But there are people that are here and across the world; that are not citizens that are bound to that constitution, but yet they should be bound to the understanding and ethic of love.
Dr. Ford is President and CEO of Project NOW in Rock Island, along with Pastor of Rock Island’s Grace City Church.
