FORT VALLEY -- Shatteria Slappey, a Hunt Elementary School student, belted “Greatest Love of All” in front of hundreds of people who had gathered at Fort Valley State University Monday for its annual Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon.
The song choice may have been a nod to the late singer Whitney Houston, who popularized the hit, but as the fifth-grader sang the lyrics, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way,” she brought many in the school’s Health and Physical Education Complex to their feet.
The song and the young girl’s presence symbolized the purpose of the annual luncheon.
“That’s why we’re here,” said state Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, who co-hosted the event. “To plant seeds for the trees we may never see the shade from -- these children.”
Since 1987, the event has generated more than $1.5 million in scholarships, according to a news release from the school.
Last year, the luncheon raised more than $128,000 for presidential scholarships, which cover tuition and other fees for students with at least a 3.5 grade point average and 1,260 SAT or 28 ACT score. This year’s goal was to raise more than $200,000.
A lack of money should not rain on the dreams of a gifted student, said event co-chair Alicia Livatt.
This year’s event, featuring attorney Willie Gary as keynote speaker, held the theme “25 Years of Reflecting.”
“This event represents opportunities for our young people,” Gary said, urging attendees to reach back to help the younger generations.
The self-described “country boy” born in Eastman rose from humble beginnings in migrant farming communities to become a widely-celebrated attorney who has won numerous multimillion-dollar cases against corporations. He has given millions back to various causes.
Gary “is an example of the caliber of people HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) can produce,” said U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, as he introduced the speaker.
Gary, who has been featured in Ebony magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential Black Americans” and Forbes magazine as one of the “Top 50 Attorneys in the U.S.,” earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., and a Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. Both are historically black universities.
“I was told I wasn’t college material,” Gary said. “Thank God for an HBCU.”
To contact writer Caryn Grant, call 256-9751.
