BIG APPLE BOUND:
White Hall, Rison prodigies to represent state at Carnegie Hall
 
BY Phyllis Stokes OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
 

Carson Bohner

Two local teens’ passion for music has been the gateway to some unique experiences, but nothing has eclipsed the opportunity to showcase their talent at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 
 
White Hall High School sophomore Carson Bohner and Rison resident Brett Kelly have been selected as members of the 2014 National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. This is the second year for NYO-USA and the first time that musicians from Arkansas have been selected.

 

The program, created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, evaluates and chooses extraordinarily gifted young musicians, ages 16 to 19, to form a full-sized orchestra. The orchestra travels to different parts of the world, giving the musical prodigies an opportunity to play in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world.

“The depth of musical talent found across this country is remarkable and the young players who make up NYO-USA’s 2014 roster are amongst the very best,” Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s executive and artistic director, said in a press release. Bohner is already an award-winning violinist who has played with the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra. Still, he said the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall at his age — in fact at any age — seems surreal. “I would have never dreamed I would get there during my high school years,” Bohner said as he searched for words to describe his enormous gratitude. “Most professional musicians haven’t gotten there yet. Even if I had died and never gotten there, it wouldn’t have surprised me.”

One of the biggest surprises of his life so far came when his dad, Michael Bohner, informed him at school that he had received an acceptance notice from NYO. “My best friend and I both started jumping … right in class,” Bohner said. “I am extremely excited.” Bohner said that as excited as he is, his mother is more so. “I am beside myself … I can’t stand it,” said Landie Bohner. When the family decided Carson would apply for a position, Landie said they expected the process to be extremely competitive and were prepared to apply over several seasons. But Carson was selected after only one try — and out of more than a thousand applicants, according to Matt Carlson, assistant director of public relations at Carnegie Hall. “He won,” Landie Bohner said with a broad proud smile. “”With all those kids competing from New York and Boston and Chicago … he won!”

Brett Kelly

So did Brett Kelly. A resident of Rison, Kelly studies music at Interlochen Arts Academy, a fine arts boarding high school located in northwestern Michigan.

As a part of his studies, he recently traveled to China for spring break to perform and interact with musical artists in Beijing and Shanghai. “You just can’t confine this kind of talent,” said Kelly’s mother, Deupree Kelly, a high school choir and middle school music teacher. Kelly’s father is Tim Kelly, an engineer for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.

Brett Kelly said he was never partial to vocals and not very serious about music at all until he joined the band in sixth grade. “From the moment I brought home my first instrument, I knew that I would stick with a horn for quite a while,” said the 16-year-old trombonist.

Kelly was just surfing the Web when he stumbled across the NYO opportunity. He applied but said he, too, had no expectation to win. “In fact, my audition tape submissions were actually quite rushed despite the months of preparation I had undergone before taping,” he said. “This is very exciting. Very few instrumentalists ever have the chance to play in some of America’s greatest halls.”

In July, Bonner and Kelly will pack their instruments and head for Purchase College State University of New York, a school for the visual and performing arts located about 30 miles north of New York City.

To prepare for their debut, they will train for two weeks with professional orchestra musicians and rehearse at the School for the Arts Conservatory of Music. Bohner said he is confident he will be able to learn the music for the tour. Bill Fox, executive director of the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra, concurs, describing Bohner as “a first-class musician” with lots of ambition. “He is a well-rounded, goal-oriented, talented individual who knows where he wants to go in life, sets his goal to go there and has every reason to expect it to happen,” Fox said.

Vouching for Kelly on the home front is Mark Windham, the University of Arkansas at Monticello Marching Band coordinator and Kelly’s former trombone teacher. “Brett is one of the most eager and talented individuals that I have had the privilege of teaching privately,” Windham said. “And that’s one of the reasons he has excelled so.” Windham said this is a “super proud” moment for Kelly and he expects big things for him in the future.

Before leaving for an eight-city tour, the full-size orchestra made up of approximately 120 young instrumentalists from around the country and Puerto Rico will have its first official performance July 20 at the Performing Arts Center in Purchase, NY. On July 22, the symphony orchestra conducted by world-renowned David Robertson, conductor for the St. Louis Symphony, will debut in New York City at Carnegie Hall –one of the world’s most prestigious stages—with virtuoso violinist Gil Shaham.

Followed by their performance at Carnegie Hall, the orchestra will embark on a coast-to-coast tour with a grand finale at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The Carnegie Hall performance will be streamed live online and available on select radio stations.

For more information about the tour and the broadcast, visit carnegiehall.org.

PBHS teen remembered
by classmates, family, community





Family wait for the balloon release in honor of Artisha Rainey on Wednesday at Pine Bluff High School.
(Phyllis Stokes/Pine Bluff Commercial)

By Phyllis Stokes

Of The Commercial Staff

 

Pine Bluff High School’s football field was charged with energy Wednesday afternoon as the bleachers filled with people who gathered to celebrate the life of Artisha Rainey.

 

Several hundred students, faculty and family members — many of them carrying red, white and black balloons — took their seats under sunny skies, waiting to participate in a memorial balloon release honoring 18-year-old Artisha, who died in a single-car accident Friday evening. The senior was minutes away from her home when she lost control of her vehicle on Hazel Street near 37th Avenue.

 

The crowd stood, cheered and applauded as Artisha’s parents, Arthur Rainey and Emil and Monica Pritchett, arrived at the stadium for the event. In a previous interview, Monica Pritchett said she spoke to her daughter on the phone moments before the crash “She told me she couldn’t breathe,” she said. “I asked her where she was, but all she could say was ‘Momma’ … she said ‘Jesus.’ ”

 

“She was on her way home,” said Artisha’s father, Arthur Rainey. “She was only four blocks away.” Pine Bluff Police Department spokesman Officer Richard Wegner said the accident is still under investigation and no new information has been released.

 

“We are not here to mourn,” art teacher Virginia Hymes said as she set the celebratory tone at Wednesday’s event . “We want to encourage you to uplift her (Artisha’s) beautiful legacy by doing the right thing everyday. Let’s show her how much we love her.”

 

Members of the band provided instrumentals as students on the field and in the stands locked arms in solidarity. One group chanted to the beat, “We miss you Tisha. ”

 

To further uplift the crowd, Principal Michael Nellums said,“We are here to celebrate all the times that she made us all smile, and laugh and when she was silly and goofy … and we all remember those days. “Today we are just happy to express our love and support and show the world that we are going to miss her., that she is gone but not forgotten.”

 

Classmates Sabreen Jolley and Charla Taylor followed Nellums with a poem titled, “After the Sunset.” “We never really get over a passing, we just adjust to it,” Jolley said. “Just like Tisha adjusted to her new life in the kingdom of peace after the sun had set.” Members of the Watson Chapel High School student body contributed to the celebration with a note read by Hymes.

 

Presentations by the Pine Bluff High School baseball team and drama club to Artisha’s parents followed. Ajia Richardson, credited with facilitating the event, took the podium. Before a moment of silence, she again charged the students to continue doing their best every day as a way to honor Artisha’s memory.

 

“This is a wonderful demonstration of love by the students, faculty members and the community,” said Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Linda Watson.“We need to keep this family in our prayers. It’s very difficult for any family to go through this, but God is able.”

 

Arthur Rainey said he was overwhelmed by the show of support. “Just seeing all the love that was shown to my daughter, it makes me proud. I know that I loved my daughter, but just to see the city of Pine Bluff show so much love for her is unbelievable,” he said. “She could be the life of the party and was goofy, but at the same time she just had that glow about her ever since she was born.”

 

Rainey — who said both he and his daughter have suffered from asthma — said he believes a panic attack may have caused Artisha to lose control of her vehicle.

 

Rainey said he has been in the military for much of Artisha’s life, but the two had a special relationship. “I talked to her every day,” he said. He said he will remember her smile, her laughter and the good times they shared. “But mostly, I’ll remember hearing her call me Daddy,” he said. 

Team Abby:

Trotter employees show support for young kidney patient





 
Larry Phillips (left), Alan Parnell and Mike Socia wear their purple shirts in a show of support for Abby Bobo as they work on a car in the maintenance department Thursday at Trotter Ford in Pine Bluff. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey)







By Phyllis Stokes

OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
 
With the exception of a bunch of rugged mechanics and body shop workers dressed in bright purple and pink and women wearing angel wings, feathered headbands and glitter glasses, Thursday morning started with business as usual at Trotter Ford in Pine Bluff.
 
President Ford Trotter, Chairman of the Board Henry Trotter and employees at the automobile dealership traded in their business attire and company work shirts for a new dress code for the day in support of 11-year-old Abby Bobo.

Abby, who celebrated her birthday this month, was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare disease that attacks the kidney’s filtering system. The granddaughter of Walter Coleman (Gramps) and Wayne (Poppie) and Kim Anderson, longtime employees of Trotter Ford, Abby underwent a bilateral nephrectomy—surgery to remove both her kidneys — Thursday morning at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Abby is the daughter of Willie Bobo and Russ and Rachel Bartels. According to the Nephcure Foundation, FSGS is one of the causes of a serious condition known as Nephrotic Syndrome, the second-leading cause of kidney failure in children. After surgery, Abby who has already been doing dialysis at home, will be placed on a waiting list to receive a healthy kidney.

“This little girl has been through a lot,” Henry Trotter said. “Everyone wants this family to know we’re here to show our support.” Ford Trotter stood nearby, wearing a shiny purple wig and nodding in agreement. Pausing their business meeting to join the staff for a quick surprise photo to send to Abby’s family, both men apologized for not being able to chat longer.

Della Stark, the company’s administrative assistant, started working on a company-wide surprise for the family after hearing the grandmother’s plan to get T-shirts made. “Kim wanted to get shirts for the immediate family to wear on the day of the surgery,” Stark said.

Stark said she wanted to do something to show support, and believed others would want to join in. “It’s just the way things are around here. We look out for each other,” she said. Fully expecting participation, Stark still wondered if she might have to use some persuasion to get some on board.

“They all have big hearts, but we were doing the shirts in Abby’s favorite colors,” she said. “I didn’t know how purple and pink would go over with the men…but it did!” Stark said not one person complained.

Assistant Finance Manager Monica Armstrong, straightening her pink headband, said her co-workers are like no others. “We all go home to our families at night, but this is my day family,” she said. “We are tight-knit … Yes, we butt heads sometimes, but at the end of the day … we are a team.” A team player willing to make a personal sacrifice, Armstrong said she gave up smoking cigarettes when she learned of Abby’s situation. “Just in case I might be the same blood type,” she said.

Armstrong, who works directly with Wayne Anderson said he and Kim, both known for their generosity, are more than worthy of such an outpouring of support. Wayne is “one of the most genuine people I know,” Armstrong said.

Bubba Pettigrew couldn’t agree more “They (Wayne and Kim) started here not long after me,” said the 25-year-veteran of the company. Pettigrew said the couple came to his aide when his mother died “It’s like they just knew exactly what I needed,” he said. Pettigrew sat back in his seat and smiled. “Now it’s time for us to take care of them.”

Pettigrew said this situation has touched him deeply. He vowed the show of support won’t end with wearing T-shirts for the day. “She (Abby) has her extended family to go through this with her,” Pettigrew said. “She’ll never go through this alone.”

Stark’s plan had spread like wildfire. Her hopes of doing something to represent collaborative support for Abby and her immediate family from their “day family” was a success. And so was Abby’s surgery. Just as everyone made their way back to their respective posts, one employee got a message from the family at the hospital. Abby was doing just fine.

More information about FSGS is available at http://www.nephcure.org

1-24-14

 

Black history program revisits past, envisions future

 



Laurence B. Alexander



Maj. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee

By Phyllis Stokes
OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Laurence B. Alexander, chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, reflected on the purpose of the gathering as he welcomed guests to the 2014 black history program held Thursday in the campus’ Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts Building.

“It’s imperative that we recognize our past and become knowledgeable about where we’ve been to understand the path we’re on to making a better future,” Alexander said.

In recognition of the past, Alexander gave honorable mentions to the late Joseph Carter Corbin, the first principal of Branch Normal College, the name in which the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was first established in 1873; the late Wiley A. Branton Sr., distinguished alumnus and civil rights leader who contributed to the integration of the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville and worked diligently to end legal segregation in Arkansas and the nation; slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the first African-American president of the United States, Barack Obama.

The keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, a UAPB alumnus, was introduced as one of the military’s most senior leaders. Piggee, director of logistics and engineering for the U.S. Central Command, has ascended the ranks with a noble list of assignments that include — to name a few — commanding general in Germany; assistant chief of staff in South Korea; and executive officer to the vice chief of staff at the Pentagon.

Despite an illustrious career, Piggee candidly disclosed that his success has not been attained through any great intelligence. With the exception of the support of his wife, Kassi, his family and God’s grace, Piggee attributed his accomplishments to his persistent disregard of what others thought of him.

By doing so, Piggee proclaiming himself “an ordinary person,” said he was able to overcome being turned down by numerous universities because of his ACT score, or having his potential as a military officer questioned because of substandard performance records, and being denied for three years an assignment he worked hard to earn.

“I could have given up,” Piggee said, “but I was determined to get over those perceptions. … I decided I would determine my destiny.”

Using other examples from his personal struggles, Piggee said he wanted to “debunk the myth” that those who achieve greatness walk a golden path laid out for them and that the normal person can’t achieve greatness. Piggee admonished the audience to “get over who you are to become who you can be.”

“Our forefathers,” Piggee said, “left us an example of how to get over persecution, to get over being treated as a second-class citizen, to get over no right to vote and get over unfair treatment.” Piggee said Black History Month is a worthwhile endeavor because no one can appreciate American history without understanding the historical experience of blacks in this country and the significant accomplishments and challenges they had to endure.

Noting that King and others raised the level of consciousness, Piggee said we must continue to refine and reaffirm our commitment to their dream. “Their dream was to influence our destiny; our dream should be to pay it forward to make America better,” he said.

Piggee told the audience to remember that what one thinks of himself is the only thing that can derail his destiny. “Don’t be pitiful, when you can be powerful,” he said.

Providing entertainment for the program, Yard Voices of Praise offered uplifting selections accompanied by piano. Phyllissa Dunk, a senior at UAPB, offered her melodious rendition of Summer Time from the all-black-cast opera, Porgy and Bess, and the symphonic sounds of the UAPB Jazz ensemble met with contented applause.

The event, free and open to the public, was a collaboration between UAPB and the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Col. David L. Musgrave, commander of the Arsenal, said the idea was to “work together for the good of the community.”

UAPB organizer Tisha Arnold said she was glad to have the opportunity to work with the arsenal organizers. “I am glad they reached out to us because we both had something to offer,” she said. “This collaboration was mutually beneficial.”

02-13-14

Mission of Healing: PB native helps make a difference in Nigeria

Pine Bluff native Sanreka Watley (left) poses with volunteers Rahamat Odunsi (center) and Dr. Cynthia Thomas on a mission trip to Nigeria. (Special to The Commercial)

By Phyllis Stokes
OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Pine Bluff native Sanreka Watley is making her mark in the world — literally.

As volunteer director of Global Health Initiatives — an organization that works through U.S. government agencies in more than 70 countries to combat devastating diseases such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, as well as preventable yet untreated diseases common to the indigent — Watley helps organize mission trips to Nigeria representing Jesus is Love Medical Consultants.

Watley made her first trip to Nigeria in 2013, with a team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners and medical students. Watley said the group provided vital medical care to more than 1,500 patients in four days.

“Many areas of Nigeria consist of people living in unbelievable poverty,” Watley said. “If you lose everything you own today, materially you will still have more than the vast majority of the people of Nigeria.” Watley said some adults and children walked three to four days from their villages to see the doctors. In other cases, team members traveled several hours by boat to reach those in remote areas. “It wasn’t uncommon to reach a site with 300 to 400 people waiting,” she said.

The daughter of Roland Watley, Annitha Roaf and Dr. J.W. Mason, Watley holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and sociology from Arkansas State University and a master’s in managerial leadership and development from National Louis University.

Watley has worked with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and currently holds the position of physician and business liaison advocate in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

“I believe we are all put on this earth to serve,” she said. “I have found my work in helping the people of Nigeria to be my game-changer.” Watley said the experience has revolutionized her perspective. “The stories, smiles, laughter, tears and long walks to catch water quickly made me realize my work is much bigger than me.”

Minnie Hill, wife of Pastor Saint Dewitt Hill of First Trinity Church of God in Christ in Pine Bluff, said she is pleased Watley has launched into missions work. She described Watley as a faithful member of the First Trinity congregation before relocating to the Chicago area.
“We are a missions-minded ministry,” Hill said. “Sanreka recently contributed to our foreign mission to Haiti.”

Jesus is Love Medical Director Dr. Ayoade Akere sponsors the trips to Nigeria. He selected Watley as the central organizer for the trips because of her energy and ability to see a project through to completion.

“She is a see-the-big-picture kind of person.” Akere said. “I just pass on the information and she makes it happen.” A native of Nigeria, Akere said medical missions to any country are important because all people should have access to a physician regardless of their ability to pay. “Being able to touch someone’s life like that is something you remember forever,” he said.

The next Jesus is Love mission trip to Nigeria is scheduled for April 25-May 3, with another one sometime in August 2014. This year Watley hopes to increase the number of people helped by visiting some of the area’s orphanages and abandonment sites.

To do that, “we need more volunteers,” she said. Watley encourages all medical professionals to consider the trip — as an individual or to reach out to colleagues and volunteer as a team. There is a specific need for ophthalmologists.

Watley said that while the volunteers work long and very hard days, it’s also “a great way for a (medical) student to learn … see the world and experience medicine being shared in one of its highest forms.”

Volunteers must pay for a passport, visa and immunizations. All other expenses, including housing and meals, are covered.

Persons, groups, ministries or organizations interested in volunteering or donating supplies may reach Watley at sanrekawatley@yahoo.com or 773-851-3295.

2-19-20

McKissic honored with exhibit during Black History Month

 

Pine Bluff Jefferson County Historical Museum Executive Director Kristi Alexander points to some of items in the Jimmy McKissic display. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey

 

BY Phyllis Stokes
OF The Commercial Staff

The Pine Bluff Jefferson County Historical Museum is honoring the life and legacy of the late James “Jimmy” McKissic, internationally acclaimed pianist.

In celebration of Black History Month, an exhibit honoring the Pine Bluff native is currently on display. The Road to Carnegie Hall is the theme for the exhibit documenting McKissic’s road to fulfilling his life-long dream of playing classical music in one of the world’s most famous concert halls.

McKissic, who died last year, is fondly remembered as a man with big personality, a contagious smile and an outstanding gift.

“He didn’t have to say anything,” said McKissic’s younger brother Thirland McKissic. “He could just speak to you through the piano.”

Thirland McKissic said the McKissic family always shared a love for music, but from a young age, his brother stood out. “We all played and sang around town, the 4H Clubs and at the Robinson Auditorium together, but Jimmy had a touch on the keys a lot of people don’t have,” Thirland McKissic said.

Thirland McKissic said Jimmy McKissic’s talent touched many lives. He recalled letters the family received from people around the world — such as Singapore, Bangkok, Paris, Switzerland, Morocco, San Francisco and Chicago — after Jimmy McKissic died. He said many of the writers had met Jimmy McKissic in the bars where he played.

Thirland McKissic said people spoke of the impact Jimmy McKissic’s music had on their lives. “He would play ‘Amazing Grace’ … in the bar,” Thirland McKissic said. “He led some people to Christ. Some others said they returned to church. “He spread love through his music. He touched lives in ways I did not understand.”

During the exhibit, photos of Jimmy McKissic performing in cities around the world can be seen along with some of his signature colorful outfits worn during his performances and personally annotated sheet music.

The exhibit also includes a documentary in which Jimmy McKissic affectionately illustrates parts of his journey. He talks about how his love for classical music started while sitting in his grandmother’s front yard listening to the radio, how he dreamed of playing at Carnegie Hall and how even after being denied the first time, he never lost hope.

He talks about how some thought he should focus on jazz or blues — music more traditional to African-Americans — and how in the midst of criticism, he stayed true to himself.

“All I know is,” Jimmy McKissic said in the documentary, “I was born to play classical music.”

The exhibit, hosted by the Pine Bluff chapter of Links Inc., will be on display through July 30. - See more at: http://pbcommercial.com/news/local/mckissic-honored-exhibit-during-black-history-month#sthash.Wlt2BQQL.dpuf  

2.20.14

Forging Ahead /Nursing students overcome hurdles to graduate

Nursing students overcome hurdles to graduate

By Phyllis Stokes
OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Courtnie Ellisworth walked across the stage to receive her diploma from Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s nursing school in December 2013, leaving behind a year filled with emotional turmoil and looking forward to a better life for herself and her two sons.

Ellisworth began studying nursing as a means to provide for her sons. who are 1 and 4, but that wasn’t her original plan. “I started out studying pre-med and biology,” Ellisworth said. “But when I learned I was pregnant with my first son, I needed my career to start sooner.”

With an interest in medicine already, nursing was a natural transition for Ellisworth. But an experience she had taking care of a sick relative left her with a desire for hands-on caregiving. “I saw from taking care of my aunt, the difference it makes when someone who really cares takes care OF you,” she said. “You improve better.”

Midway through nursing school, Ellisworth faced what she called “her biggest obstacle” to completing her course. Her youngest son, 6 months old at the time, began having difficulty breathing. “He started crying more than usual,” Ellisworth recalled. “I took him to the doctor several times and was told there was nothing wrong … that I was overreacting.” According to Ellisworth, she knew something was wrong, so she kept going back to the doctor. On her fifth visit, she said an examination revealed that her son had a broken rib.

Ellisworth reports being horrified, especially after hearing that the broken rib was an old injury that occurred when the child was approximately 3 months old. After a brief investigation, Ellisworth said, both of her children were taken into protective custody. “I felt so many emotions,” she said. “I wondered how this could have happened, I felt guilty, shocked … I felt pain for my baby — and for a while, I felt betrayed.”

Ellisworth said while working as a waitress and going to school, she had relied on family members to keep her boys. “I couldn’t afford daycare.” she said. While she knew the injury must have occurred while the child was outside the home, she said she did not believe anyone in her family would do anything like that on purpose. Her feelings of betrayal soon faded, leaving her confused and afraid. “I didn’t know how all this was going to end,” she said.

When her problems at home were compounded with a challenging school curriculum, Ellisworth said she contended with doubts about the future she was trying to build. She said she questioned everything” “Would I get my boys back? Would I be able to finish school? Would I go to jail?” She said she wondered that even if she finished school—would it matter? “I felt like part of my heart was ripped out,” Ellisworth said. “I felt like quitting.” Ellisworth said she relied on prayer, support from her family, the support of classmates and staff at school. “The staff at school was so understanding, and patient. They encouraged me to keep going, and they never judged me,” she said. “I could be myself. If I needed to talk … I could. I never had to pretend like nothing was wrong.”

Kathy Pierce, director of JRMC’s School of Nursing, conducts interviews for students entering the program. Pierce said Ellisworth persevered through her difficulties with a good attitude “I don’t think people would have picked up that she had anything going on,” Pierce said. “She always had a smile. She kept her head up.”

While Ellisworth appreciated all the support from staff and classmates, one particular classmate was coming to her own conclusions. Asked to describe Ellisworth, fellow graduate, Andria Glover responded without hesitation: “Courtney was one of the strongest people in the class, if not one of the strongest people I have ever met.” Glover noticed how Ellisworth “didn’t let what she was going through hinder her; she kept a positive attitude.” Glover said of her experience watching Ellisworth’s display of determination” “I learned that if she can go through that and make it, anybody can make it.”

According to Ellisworth, after two months of questioning, visitations and meetings with Child Protective Services, the investigation was dropped. No charges were filed and she was reunited with her children, both of whom she reports to now be in good health. Ellisworth said she still has no answers about how her son was injured and having the boys back in the home involved some transition as she learned to put things in perspective again. “I was horrified for a while whenever they would play or bump into something,” she said. “But the grace of God got my kids back and now has helped me find peace.” Ecstatic to have the situation resolved and her diploma in hand, Ellisworth looks forward to moving forward in her career. She plans to get her master’s degree next.

Glover, who had to overcome her own doubts during school, is also making post-graduation plans. By the time Glover made her decision to go to nursing school she already had overcome insecurities resulting from a life of adversity.

At 6 years old, she lost her mother to suicide. “My world was turned upside down.” Glover said. The experience left her with a broken family and shattered hope. Glover, who was raised along with a younger brother and several cousins by her grandmother, struggled finding her place inside and outside the home. She grew up going to church, but said she was never able to really connect on a personal level.

But at the age of 19, her life took another turn that would again have a huge impact. “I joined a church,” she said, and “determined who I would be in the Lord.” Instead of being paralyzed by her past, Glover forged ahead. Along the way, as doubts surfaced and no one else was there to push her, Glover said she told herself, “You’ve come too far … shed too many tears to stop now.”

“I could tell from the initial interview that she was driven,” Pierce said. “She never gave up.” Glover, repeatedly acknowledging her faith as her source of strength, said nursing school showed her just how strong she could be. “It’s empowering to know I can work hard and achieve my goals,” she said.

Glover and Ellisworth were among 12 students in a class of 33 to pass the Health Education Systems Inc. exit exam, the final test required before graduation, on the first try. After passing her state board examinations, Glover’s plans are to work with children. “I may not be able to do that in the beginning, but I love pediatrics and that is what I will eventually do,” she said.

See more at: http://pbcommercial.com/news/local/forging-ahead-nursing-students-overcome-hurdles-earn-diplomas#sthash.A5Vbo6rI.dpuf

Taking It Back /James hopes to help stop violence

 

John James grew up poor in a single-parent household in Pine Bluff. Now he is spearheading Take Back Pine Bluff, a movement aimed at stemming the tide of violence and crime in the city. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey)

By Phyllis Stokes
OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

John James Jr. knows what it’s like to be poor, to be hungry, to have no male role models. He understands how young men in those circumstances can veer off course. He also knows that there is a better path than the crime and violence that sometimes follows.

As the spokesman for Take Back Pine Bluff, a movement aimed at combatting the violent loss of life in the city, James is trying to make a difference for his community — and for the young men who grow up in circumstances similar to his own.

A 33-year old Pine Bluff native, James was raised along with his sister in a single-parent home. He remembers days of going without food, wearing worn-out clothing, and at times, having no utilities in the home. After graduating from Dollarway High School in May 2000, James immediately left home to join the Marine Corps. “I had never been anywhere out of the state and hardly out of Pine Bluff,” James said. That changed during James’ time in the military, where he served as an aviation ordnance technician and a Marine security guard. His eigh-year military career, which started in North Carolina, took him to far-away places: Hawaii, Japan and Kuwait the first four years; Tunisia, Zambia and Trinidad &Tobago the next four years.

James said he was on a military march one day, when he suddenly smelled something strange. Going around a turn, he came face to face with the ocean. “It was amazing to me; many people may have seen the ocean hundreds of times, but I never did,” he said. James said he was so stunned he stood there dead in his tracks until the platoon leader, repeatedly calling his name, finally got his attention. “I put some seashells in an envelope and sent them home to my mother,” he said.

After his military tour, James returned home with new life-experiences, but did not forget his humble beginnings. “It shaped my thinking and my perspective on what organizations, government and religion should do.” James said.” You have to be involved.” Demonstrating a desire to reach out, he begin working with AmeriCorps VISTA, a national and community service program established to fight poverty in America. Through AmeriCorps, he worked two years at Our House Inc., a homeless shelter for the working poor.

While working to help other communities, James grew increasingly concerned about the number of violent deaths in Pine Bluff. After getting an idea from a friend, James spearheaded Taking Back Pine Bluff, a movement that he says is best described as an idea. The movement began in November 2011. TBPB, James said, “is an idea that says influence is more powerful than money, is more powerful than our own desires, is more powerful than the negativity we face in our community.

The idea of TBPB is to exert an equal and opposite influence through community rallies, events and building community through relationships.” James said people shouldn’t look at TBPB as a man, an organization or a group because that will hinder adapting the idea. Instead, he wants to see others — whether they call themselves TBPB or not — begin to push back against negative influences.

James believes great dreams and visions of the past have suffered because people focused on the man instead of the mission. “If you look at the man, you start looking at his flaws and miss the idea,” he said. James said that in some ways there is little difference between him and the young men who are taking lives on our streets today, “The same anger that is in them is in me,” he said. “I don’t make any excuse for a murderer; they certainly are not forced to commit these heinous crimes — but we are the sum of our experience.

The environment of poverty, dilapidated communities, the lack of exposure to cultural things — the arts — and poor education is exerting an influence on the minds of our young people.” James said as a child he would sometimes get dressed in the dark before hurrying to get to school to eat breakfast. He had not eaten since his last meal at school the previous day. He said at home he didn’t know he was any different than anybody else--but as he ventured out, his reality changed.

“At school I saw that everybody didn’t live like I did, everybody didn’t have holes in their shoes,” he said. “I would hear talk about what they ate or what they did on vacation, all the time thinking … I never went on a vacation. The anger starts to enter. And there is no role model there to explain — or other bitter people explain it out of their own hurt. You get a distorted message on how the world is. There is no man there to tell you that clothes and shoes don’t make the man. Envy and jealousy sets in.”

In the absence of strong male role models, most of James’ guidance came from books written by people he came to admire. “I found an outlet through education. I can articulate,” James said. That doesn’t make me better; it makes me responsible.”

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Debutante Cotillion / An Array of Precious Pearls

An Array of Precious Pearls

By Phyllis Stokes
Of The Commercial Staff

The 46th Annual Debutante Cotillion presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Omega Omega Chapter was held recently at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. All eyes steadfastly gazed as 36 young ladies were formally introduced to society.

The banquet hall, softly decorated in pink and white with a rose-petal-covered floor and pearl-wrapped glass centerpieces, set the stage for this year’s theme, “An Array of Precious Pearls.” Debutantes were introduced by Laurence B. Alexander, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Carolyn Frazier Blakely, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and inductee to the National Alumni Hall of Fame at UAPB. Soloist Keith Savage serenaded the ladies with “Something About Your Love” and “You Are So Beautiful.” Felicitations were offered by Bettye Wright and Teresa Moka.

As the curtain opened, each debutante, elegantly dressed in a full-length white ball gown, emerged as an iridescent gem from its shell. Demonstrating poise and sophistication, the young ladies stepped onto the platform to a waiting audience of parents, relatives, escorts, friends and other well-wishers. Through their approximately four-month process of preparation, the debutantes — all high school seniors — participated in activities aimed at developing character, enhancing academic excellence, practicing proper etiquette and social graces in their goals of becoming exceptional women discovering and fulfilling their dreams.

Sabrene Jolley, a senior at Pine Bluff High School is already making her mark doing poetry on 88.3 KABF Young & Unashamed Radio in Little Rock. Sabrene is honored to have been selected as a debutante. “It feels good,” she said. “Not many girls get picked … I am happy that I did.” Sharing her pre-Cotillion jitters she added, “We spent a lot of time preparing and I pray we do a very good job when we dance and present ourselves in front of people.” She said the experience has benefited her because, “a lot of things they have talked to us about has helped me grow.” Morgan Gathen from Warren High School aspires to go to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to become a pediatric nurse. Happy that the big moment had finally arrived she said, “I am excited to see everyone do all the things we have practiced.” She did, however, admit to being “a little nervous about remembering the steps to the dance and the curtsey.”

On the other hand, Cotillion committee team member, Mattie Collins lacked no confidence. “Theses ladies are sharp,” she said. “They have worked so well together and had great attitudes. We are proud of them.” The committee was especially proud that 29 of the 36 debutantes are honor students. The debutante with the highest grade point average in each of the six schools represented received the GPA Cotillion Award.

Recipients were Morgan Gathen, Jensen Johnson, Kennedi Brown, Ja’Toria Kaye Burton, Daphne Dunn and Andrea Williams. Miss Congeniality was awarded to Samicia King. The Margaret Spearman award, given to the debutante who most clearly exemplified the expected character, personality, and spirit typically observed in young women chosen to be debutantes went to Kennedy Camille DeBose, a senior at Pine Bluff High School. Jenson and Morgan were respectively second and first runner-up for the crown, while Miss Debutante went to Aeriel Mack, a senior at PBHS.

After the debutantes gracefully waltzed with their fathers or gentleman presenters, followed by a waltz with their escorts, the evening climaxed with the sorority sisters singing their national hymn.

Terri Jackson is the president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Omega Omega Chapter. Since 1968, Delta Omega Omega Chapter has provided an avenue for young ladies in the community to gain skills to help them transition successfully into adulthood.

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Emerging Young Leaders Summit prepares today's youth for success tomorrow

Emerging Young Leaders Summit

BY Phyllis Stokes
OF The Commercial Staff
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Omega Omega Chapter recently presented an Emerging Young Leaders Summit at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Middle-school youth received practical training and networked with others seeking an early start, thus an advantage, preparing for college and career.

The theme for the half-day summit was “The Total Package: Your toolkit for a successful future.” Marquis Cooper Sr., a counselor in the Pulaski County Special School District, advocate for children, published author and youth pastor in Little Rock, served as keynote speaker.
Cooper inspired the youth with his presentation, “Prepared, Motivated and Destined.” Cooper told the students there are some things of which they have no control. “You automatically start off behind in this game called life because you can’t choose the environment you come from or the family you were born into.”

But leaving the students without excuses, Cooper challenged them to take charge of things within their control. His advice included avoiding complacency and negatism, not quitting anything because it’s too hard, ridding their lives of distractions, letting go of past hurts and disappointments and staying free from drugs. “These principles will change your life, if you apply them,” Cooper said.

For some students, a way to change their lives was exactly their reason for coming. Sierra Johnson an eighth-grade student at Jack Robey Junior High School, said, “I want to grow and experience new things in life.” Sierra said whatever she learns she hopes to come back one day and teach it to others. Xavier Stewart, a seventh-grader from White Hall Junior High School, was one of a few males in the group of approximately 70 to 80 youth. Stewart said he wanted to learn more about making right decisions. Another eighth-grader at Jack Robey, Trinity Haynes, said she wanted to learn how to get through college. “ I want to grow up and be something,” she said. Haynes said the summit is a good idea for youth because, “our generation is not really going in the right direction.”

Workshops were designed to give youth some specific direction. Rachel Ellis from the Arkansas Office of the Attorney General, provided insight about online safety in her workshop, Cyber Etiquette 101. Ellis’ presentation included eye-opening statistics and how they reflect the need to demonstrate wise conduct in cyberspace. Charles Colen with UAPB Department of Industrial Technology, Management and Applied Engineering facilitated “Why Should I Consider a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Education.” Colen asked thought-provoking questions, and stimulated conversation with the youth. STEM careers “create, discover, apply new knowledge and make life better for all,” Cohen said. Several UAPB students with majors in the field joined Cohen to offer comments and answer questions.

The final student workshop provided an interactive activity to teach honesty, support, confidence and critical thinking. Frank D. Dorsey II, a UAPB senior and president of Black Male Achievers, facilitated “Leadership: Making the Team Work.” Alexander Watkins, UAPB freshman class president, brought lots of energy into the room as he assisted Dorsey. Watkins explained how the activity, which required the youth to give keen attention in order to duplicate the actions of others, pertained to leadership. “Leaders have to be problem solvers,” he said. “They have to retain a lot of information in a short period of time.”

For parents bringing their youth to the summit, time was well-spent. They too sat in on workshops that taught how to effectively parent an emerging teen leader. Cooper, who facilitated the parent workshop sessions, taught them principles of advocating for their child’s education and modeling proper behavior. The academic segments of the summit ended with an Emerging Young Leader Roundtable Forum. The forum, which consisted of an all youth panel, a youth moderator and questions designed by youth, addressed issues concerning the emerging leaders.

Yamicci Wilson, a math teacher at Belair Middle School, worked with the youth to prepare them for the forum. “These kids have been very analytical and put a lot of thought into this,” she said. The power-packed day concluded with lunch, entertainment by the Pine Bluff High School drum line and an Alpha Rho strut. Emerging Young Leaders is one of the signature programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Delta Omega Omega Chapter. The program targets girls between grades 6-8 to encourage leadership development, civic engagement, enhanced academic preparation and character building.

The EYL Summit is open to both female and male students.

Co-chairpersons for the summit were Monique Benford, Kelli Dixon, Margaret Flannigan and Erin Pilcher. -

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26th Annual Home & Garden Show

26th Annual Home & Garden Show