Recently the Theta Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity awarded scholarships to four outstanding young men. One of them is the grandson of a dear friend of mine, who never lived to see her grandson’s accomplishments. He is Darius Jamal Albury-Williams, a 2012 graduate of Robert Morgan Educational Center.

Darius played football, basketball and badminton at Miami Killian High School, and was chosen as the Youth Day speaker at the Historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Overtown, where he grew up. He has tutored middle and elementary school children in math and language arts, has been a volunteer coach to young basketball players and has helped deliver thanksgiving meals to the needy. He is a Silver Knights nominee and a member of the 5,000 Role Models. Darius’ parents are Miranda Y. Albury and Harry B. Williams. The late Maxine Albury was his grandmother and my friend.

The other well-deserving young men who were honored at the scholarship luncheon are David Sostre, David Green, and Famous McKinnon, all from Booker T. Washington High School.

Sostre served as captain of BTW’s basketball team and was a member of various organizations as well as serving as a volunteer for various organizations.

He said an uncle once told him that the only way to have a good chance at being successful is by going to college. "He told me to stay committed and don’t fall off the track. ... College is the key."

Sostre took his uncle’s advice and will enter New York City College of Technology in the fall. His parents are David Sostre and Evelyn Delacruz.

Green is the recipient of the Harvard Book Award; a Gates Millennium Scholar; Coca-cola Scholar finalist and the Award of Excellence. Here is a statement form him:

"I have been reared in an environment that lacked aspirations of being great ... in an environment that only accepts mediocrity and folly. Those who try to be different either get alienated or killed for striving to [rise] above the norm. ... In my neighborhood excellence is not expected nor accepted."

In spite of his surroundings, Green was an Honor Roll student from the ninth through the 12th grade. He will enter the University of Florida in the fall to study business administration and engineering. He is the son of Maria Palmer.

McKinnon has been on the Honor Roll at BTW and has been named Student of the Month. He said, "Growing up as a young black male in the inner city trying to do positive things is a hard task. But I already have a mindset that I am going to pursue a higher education to support me and my family in the future. My personal goal is to become the first in my family to go to college."

He will reach that goal in the fall when he enters Antelope Valley College to study international business. McKinnon is the son of Larie McKinnon and Angelica McKinnon.

A well deserved Friends and Neighbors salute to you all.

Botanical Garden

Getting kind of bored with summer? Don’t know what to do or where to go?

Here’s help. The Miami Beach Botanical Garden has several events that can help to perk up your summer.

On July 26 through 29, the Botanical Garden will present its Miami Performance and Visual Arts Festival, which will offer workshops, lectures by artists, performances and parties for four days at three different sites: Downtown Miami, the Miami Design District and the Botanical Gardens.