April 20, 2007

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Lakenya Simpson, a sophomore volleyball player at Southern University, is one of nine winners in the nationwide "Words of Wisdom: Lessons in Courage" essay contest sponsored by Alltel Wireless, America's largest network, to reward the academic achievements of students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across the country.

Simpson received a $5,000 scholarship for the fall 2007 semester and attended a reception Friday at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock where she was presented her award by world-renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou.

Simpson's essay was selected by educators, business leaders and Alltel Wireless employees, based on her response to the essay question, "Fifty years ago, the Little Rock Nine personified courage and spirit. Today, how will you?"

In her essay, Simpson reflected on a recent church sermon describing God's undying love for all people and applied it to the courage and perseverance demonstrated by the Little Rock Nine. She wrote, "The Little Rock Nine exemplified love by giving their very best manners and respect to those who tried to break them. They responded to discrimination and harassment with dignified smiles, and polite 'yes sirs' and no ma'ams."

"Alltel Wireless is committed to celebrating the academic accomplishments of students within the African-American community through our 'Words of Wisdom: Lessons in Courage' essay contest," said Regina Woziwodzki, director of multicultural marketing for Alltel. "We are pleased to again partner with Dr. Angelou in awarding scholarships to nine deserving students in recognition of the commitment to furthering their education."

"A half century ago, the Little Rock Nine broke down barriers to better their education. The 'Words of Wisdom' program encourages young people to learn from the hardships of those students and use their courage to create change in their own lives," said Dr. Angelou. "I am proud to be a part of this program and to have come in contact with such an inspired group of young people."

During their visit to Little Rock, the students toured several local landmarks essential to the Little Rock Nine integration movement, including Little Rock Central High School and the Governor's Mansion. Reception attendees also enjoyed a performance by the Little Rock Central High Madrigals and a guided tour of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center.

About The Little Rock Nine Foundation
In September 1957, nine African-American students enrolled in Central High School, successfully integrating the Little Rock School system and securing their place in history as the Little Rock Nine.

The story garnered national attention as a milestone in public education and an important event in the civil rights movement. In 1999, a non-profit organization dedicated to principles of excellence in education for young people of color was established.

About Dr. Maya Angelou
An internationally respected poet, writer, civil rights activist and educator, Dr. Angelou has authored best-selling titles such as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "Gather Together in My Name," "The Heart of a Woman" and the collection of poems "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie," which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

The first black female director in Hollywood, Dr. Angelou has written, produced, directed and starred in productions for stage, film and television.

Lakenya Simpson's essay:
Every February, we are encouraged to pay tribute to the African Americans who paved the way for our liberal lifestyle. We often emphasize the significance of the accomplishments made by those such as Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr., but we rarely focus on the strength displayed by African American youth.

The Little Rock Nine personified exemplary courage and spirit in an era when African Americans were stricken with fear and intimidation. Their story provides inspiration to young African Americans, like me, today. I will personify similar courage and spirit in my life by learning, loving and persevering.

According to Horace Mann, a renowned education reformer and abolitionist, "Education is the great equalizer among men. It does more than rob the poor of their hostility toward the rich, but it prevents them from being poor." Whether the members of the Little Rock Nine were familiar with this quote is unknown, but it is clear that they realized the power embedded in knowledge. They fought for something that young people today take for granted. As I grow older, I realize the value of my education. I consider the members of the Little Rock Nine sagacious beyond their years because they recognized the power of an education. They grasped how far a good education would carry them and struggled to secure that advantage. People as such motivate me to learn as much as I can for as long as I can. I will retain the knowledge I gain from my college professors, my coaches, and from wise elders. I will make it a point to take advantage of every learning opportunity that arises.

On one particular Sunday at church, my pastor asked what the definition of "love" was. After the members of the congregation had briefly deliberated, my pastor began to enlighten us on the true meaning of this often misinterpreted word. He said "love" is an action. He began to explain to us that instead of God merely telling us that he loved us, he showed us. He said that if we truly wanted to know how to Iove we should look at God. We were instructed to turn in our bibles to the book of John, chapter four and verse three. It states, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son . . . " As I reflected on this scripture, I realized that my pastor was correct. Not only does God love us with his very best, but he loves us even when we do not deserve to be loved.

Although we can never love the way that God loves, we should constantly try. Even if the people we love do not love us in return. The Little Rock Nine exemplified love by showing their very best manners and respect to those who tried to break them. They responded to discrimination and harassment with dignified smiles, and polite "yes sirs" and "no ma'am's."

In honor of the courage and spirit portrayed by the Little Rock Nine, I will strive to love those who may mistreat me. Ultimately, I will strive to love as God loves. According to the New King James version of the Bible, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." The Little Rock Nine had never seen any blacks going to an all-white school, so discrimination further fueled their desire to not only be the first, but to succeed as well.

Even though African Americans had finally been granted the right to attend "white" schools by law, most whites were adamant about showing that they did not want African Americans in "their" schools. One of the members of the Little Rock Nine was severely beaten. One of the female members even had mace sprayed in her face--threatening blindness for the remainder of her life. Although all odds were against them, their perseverance and faith sustained them causing a monumental change in society. It is people like the members of the Little Rock Nine that I look to for inspiration when I feel like giving up.

They persevered through public ridicule and violence even when prosperity and success looked impossible. Although it was nearly half a century ago when the Little Rock Nine ascertained unprecedented results, the same drastic changes can be achieved today, in the twenty-first century, if we would apply the same courage and spirit as they did. I will make it my personal mission to break all barriers, overcome all obstacles, and win every battle that may cross my path. Much like the Little Rock Nine, I will not take "no" for an answer.

Information about this award came from a press release sent by Alltel.