Queens Borough President Helen Marshall will honor outstanding high school seniors and individuals for their contributions to the community at her ninth annual African American Heritage Celebration and Awards event.
The ceremony will take place, beginning at 1 p.m., on Saturday, February 20 at the Langston Hughes Library and Cultural Center, located in Corona at 100-01 Northern Boulevard.
“Today, we are honoring outstanding individuals, young and adult, who are using their time, talents and abilities to make a difference,” said Marshall. “Working together, we are now recognizing the contributions by these individuals, who help to make Queens a great place to live, work and play.”
Marshall and her African American Heritage Month Planning Committee sought winning candidates in several categories, including civic and community involvement, business, education and culture.
The top four winners of scholarships will receive$1,000 each and the two runners-up will each receive $500 towards their college education.
Names of high school seniors were also solicited by the committee. Candidates were asked to write an essay on their greatest academic achievement and personal achievement.
Members of the committee include co-chairs: Roslin Spigner, Queens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Andrew Jackson, Langston Hughes Library and Cultural Center. Others include: Ray Perez, Citibank; Marc Haken, from Assemblyman Rory Lanceman’s Office; William Briggs, Youth & Tennis; Vivian Warfield, Latimer House Museum; Harbachan Singh, Queens General Assembly and Anita Segarra, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning.
Marshall and the committee thanked the event’s sponsors: Citibank, Con Edison, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Marc Haken, the Courier Newspapers and the Port Authority of NY/NJ for their support.
The 2010 student scholarship winners are:
Maria Abaya, a student at the Newcomers High School, and former New York 1 and Health Plus Scholar Athlete of the week. She has also choreographed a successful multicultural show at her school.
Regina Daraud, a student at the Newcomers High School, who after her arrival from West Africa in 2007 has volunteered her time to assist at a nursing home.
Trevena Goulbourne, a student at Bayside High School, who works at a daycare center.
Malika Jones, a student at Benjamin Cardoza High School, who performs as “Malika the Clown” at children’s birthday parties.
Malaiya McGee, of Martin Van Buren High School, who shared her dancing talent with children in China, where she traveled with the People to People Ambassador Program.
Sonya Stanley, a student at Martin Van Buren High School, who has discovered her talents in singing and acting, and already completed a student film.
The 2010 Achievement Award winners by category are:
Business: Jack Cherry, president of Liberty Office Products, which serves as a site for internship and mentoring programs.
Civic: James Heyliger, president of the Association of Minority Enterprises of New York, which has an outstanding record for quickly linking contract and business opportunities with the community.
Cultural Individual: Michael Cogswell, director of the Louis Armstrong House Museum, which has become a city, state and national landmark.
Cultural Organization: York College Community Commemorative Quilt Committee, which has worked since 1998 to develop and promote cultural, education and civic activities that contribute to a positive collaborative relationship between the college and the community.
Education: Beverly Short, principal of the Queens Academy High School, where students are encouraged to achieve their highest potential.
Borough President’s Special Recognition Award: Dr. Kathleen Prestwidge, teacher, writer, community leader and television producer.
The 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award winners are:
Addie Crawford, a longtime community leader, who has worked to inspire others.
Dolly Christian, a successful corporate executive, and volunteer in community and national organizations, who is also a member of Who’s Who in American Women.
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