Greg deserves recognition for being a father when he did not have to be. When he found out that my mother had children, he could have chosen to end their relationship. Instead, he remains my step-father to this day. As a matter of fact, I am ready to drop the “step” from his title.

Shawnee Sparling

Even when you feel at your lowest point and people say you won’t make it, she was there to say, “Don’t give up!”

Quantessa Jackson
about her grandmother,
Mrs. Willie Mae Jackson

For my legend there is one special woman out there. Her name is Dorothy Griffin, she has a huge heart. This woman will give until she has given you the clothes off her back. There wasn’t one day that went by that I didn’t thank God for sending her to me.

Brandi Malone

Ms. Evangela Jones was my third grade teacher at West Town Elementary School. Ms. Jones was a brilliant role model and excellent mentor.

Willie Dennard

I really like the great ways my mom spends time with me and how she acts like a true friend. I love the great advice she gives me so that I can live a lovely life and won’t mess it up with a bad attitude.

Asia Bell

When a game show is on television like Jeopardy, he knows all of those questions. I thought I was smart, but this man right here is very, very smart.

Jennell Daniels
about her step-dad

My grandmother appreciates time and to her, you should never put off until tomorrow, what you can do today. She always reminds us that we should never get “lost” in money because it could be here today and gone tomorrow. She has inspired many because she has a great spirit.

Adrianna Hall

My mom and I are tight like a balled fist. There is no love better that her love.

Akeem Hams

My Aunt Linda taught me that my tongue is a powerful thing that can get me in trouble by saying the first thing that comes to mind.

E’Lania Pettigrew

Mrs. Carver wants her students to learn, pass, and have fun while doing it. Her teaching methods is unique. She helps her students to the best of her ability to make sure that they learn and pass.

Cassandra Mathis

My grandfather was a man short in stature, but tall in character. Grandfather was a civil rights activist.

He marched the streets and dusty roads of Sumter County for equal rights. As a result of my grandfather’s passion for education and helping others, I am motivated to reach my greatest potentials, so I can be a positive influence in the lives of others.

Justin Edge

When we are born, no one including ourselves knows what we may become. We are an unfinished piece waiting for hands that will mold us into what we are to be.

Henry Harris

She described life to me in the simplest of terms, “Life is like a blank sheet of paper, and you can put whatever you want on it.”

“Life is what you make of it.”

Alexis Black
about her mother

When it seemed like all hope was gone and there was no where to turn for me and my mother met Daddy-D, he took most of the hurt and betrayal from my heart and replaced the broken pieces with unconditional love. He is my father, role-model, and inspiration.

Ebony Mack

This intelligent woman really loved to read, and she instilled this habit in her children and grandchildren. She developed teaching materials for bible studies, speech and sermon writer and Women’s Day Speaker. She was a small woman with a big heart.

Ethel Menefee

My fifth grade teacher was a short, young intelligent African American. Her name was Mrs. Shirley Barnes. She encouraged me to succeed and pressured me to try harder like I was her own son.

James Sumner

Coming home from school, I could already smell the dinner on the table cooked and ready to be served. My grandmother could prepare meals like everyday was Sunday.

Josh Harp

The person I admire is my mother, Tanga Ponder Carter. She is ambitious, dependable and persistently strong black woman.

Takera Williams

Her favorite thing to say to me is “Keep up your grades, graduate and go to college.” That is my main goal in life. I plan on fulfilling my dream that was inspired by my mother.

Flonique Patterson

…she tried and she tried and she tried until she got me back on track.

Branden Jackson
about his favorite teacher

Mr. James is an awesome role model because people look up to him. The boys that wear their pants down to their knees Mr. James will catch them and pull them up with a tie. When we have our shirts un-tucked, Mr. James will stop us and make us tuck it in. Mr. James is just a great person.

Cassie Sartain

She’s been behind me all the way. She’s always there to encourage, inspire and to love.

Santavis Davis
about Pastor Cathy Jenkins

My grandmother is like a mercy angel. When I cry, she’s there to sing to me, when I’m sad she makes me laugh. Grandmother says all the time, “no matter how you look, how you sound, or how you used to be, always know that God and I love you the most.”

Kameika Harvey

I feel special because I come from a strong lineage of African American women. My mother, like my grandmother, is out going, hardworking, and willing. I am striving to be just like them.

KeyAndrea Joyner

Courtney is famous to all of her younger sibling because she inspires up to play basketball, run track, softball and make good grades.

Venson D Jones, Jr.

When I am feeling like my world is coming to an end, she is always there to remind me that I have her shoulder to lean on.

JaNiesha K. White
about her twin sister

She has told us so many times that she loses sleep over us when we do bad things or when we seem not to be concerned about getting the best education we can, and I believe this about her.

Ben Haggerty
about Mrs. D. Carswell

One of the greatest things Mrs. McCary taught her students and me is that the color of our skin means nothing. It does not define who we are, or who we will become. She always said to treat everyone we meet with respect and never judge by someone’s appearance. Mrs. McCary calls me her daughter anytime she sees me and people always laugh or gives funny looks. She really feels that I am her “daughter” even though she is African American and I am Hispanic.

Christina Humphrey
about her biology teacher

Tiffany found out that she had tumors growing inside of her…. What changed my life isn’t the fact that Tiffany has a health issue, it’s how strong and secure she is. It makes me question, how can we complain about having a bad hair day, or not having a boyfriend, or not having a certain designer clothing item, when there are teenagers, just like Tiffany, going through this. Her strength has given me an unconditional hope, that all things shall soon pass and things will get better.

Amber Holloway

My mother is a great counselor. She is better than Dr. Phil. I know I can come to her for any problem.

Christina Jones
about her mother