Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 26, 2020 Malden Juneteenth 2020 flag raising, performances and proclamation held, albeit virtually By Tara Vocino A pproximately 200 Maldonians commemorated Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the abolition of slavery in the United States, with a virtual ceremony last Friday morning. Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were freed. In 2007, Massachusetts became the 25th state to recognize Juneteenth Freedom Day as a holiday. For information, visit https://www. Martinez McNeil sings a cover of “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. facebook.com/MaldenCORE/videos/2791885221097718/?eid=ARA9Uhm8DIAuz0GznjuBmICIyF73wR6nTZE8oPdbvAgdpPMemJNF_TOID49k89SSXnKh-k5qZrhRS8pg. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) MaldenCORE Co-Convener Erga Pierrette in her welcome address said that slaves were forbidden to learn how to read and write in addition to being tortured, lynched and hunted. Mayor Gary Christenson declared Juneteenth Freedom Day a citywide holiday in his proclamation last Friday morning on Zoom, a virtual platform. Malden High School alum Martinez McNeil sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – the “Black National Anthem” – with the lyrics on the screen. Emcee/MaldenCORE member Bridget Mutebi announces the flag raising portion at the Senior Center during the hour-long ceremony. Malden High School alum Camille Nommi hosts a moment of silence for the alleged racial profiling victims. Grants made this programming possible. MaldenCORE member Jennifer Hedrington encouraged Maldonians to give voice to the hopeless during her closing remarks. SCHOLARSHIPS | FROM PAGE 13 en Tornado Club scholarship checks in a controlled mini-ceremony recently. “There were a lot of smiles,” Conefrey said. “It was nice to be able to honor these senior student-athletes who gave so much of a commitment to our school community through the years.” Following are this year’s recipients of the Golden Tornado Scholarships: Student Athletes of the Year Angelina Schorr (Brown University), 4.8 GPA Omar Asousy (University of Southern California), 4.3 GPA Harry Mehos Memorial Rodneisha Normil (UConn), 4.2 GPA Roy G. Finn Scholarship Brenda Dias (Chapman University, California), 4.3 GPA Collin Wilcox (UMass-Amherst), 3.6 GPA Dom Fermano Scholarship Haoxi Wang (UMass Lowell), 4.2 GPA Barry Fitzpatrick Scholarship Adam Chen (Bentley University), 4.3 GPA William Hampton/Mary Hampton Scholarship – $300 Ishmael Sylus (UMass Boston) Bob Rotondi Scholarship Ezra Kruckenberg (Brigham In his reflection, with Juneteenth/ slavery ship posters behind him, spoken word artist Terry Carter asked, “Why does the knee have to crush the neck? What kind of world can our children expect?” Young University), 4.7 GPA Thomas King Scholarship Yousef Lahkiky (UMass Amherst), 3.6 GPA Peter Donoghue/Golden Eagle (Hall of Fame) Julia Argueta (UConn), GPA 4.2 Kevin Crowe, PFC, Memorial Pryanna Alper (Posse Scholar Center College-Kentucky), GPA 4.1 Jean Gerard (UMass Lowell), GPA 4.5 Danny Dorazio Memorial Scholarship (Note: This Scholarship is presented and funded by the Dorazio Family – $1,500) Ray Duggan (Fitchburg State) Douglas Chapman Memorial Jacky Luong (Valedictorian – MIT), GPA 4.9 Keri Gilligan (Posse Scholar – Bucknell University), GPA 4.1
15 Publizr Home