Decades ago, grandparents had to pull out a cheap, accordion photo album from their wallets to brag. Praise God for technology! Please enjoy a gallery viewing of the best grand-daughter on planet earth (Period!). Nana P is proud and the world is now at peace ~
Penny Dickerson 2012
De
BY PENNY DICKERSON
DAYTONA TIMES
DeLand playwright and gospel recording artist Andre Darby returned to his high school alma mater last week for the production of his original, comedy-drama stage play, “My Prodigal Child.”
Held in the DeLand High School auditorium, the community production was inspired by the biblical story of the “Prodigal Son.” Darby’s production centers on a woman who abandons motherhood in the efforts of pursuing a lavish lifestyle with her drug-dealing boyfriend. However, her praying mother refuses to give up hope and believes her daughter will find her way home.
“The highlight for me is when main character Vanessa realizes no matter how much you mess up in your life or the direction you go, it’s great to be able to come home, find redemption and a fresh start in life,” stated Darby, who is proud to return to his native roots to advance the performing arts.
A starring role
A 40-year-old accomplished songwriter, pianist and drummer, Darby wrote the play in 2013 following the stage debut that catapulted his own career. He was cast in the lead role of his first audition and starred in the gospel musical “Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming,” which toured in the United Kingdom. When the tour ended, Darby was ready to take his creativity to the next level.
“I received a call on a Wednesday to replace ‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard in the gospel musical “I Need an Angel,” Darby shared. “I had to report for the performance the next day and that’s where I met cast members Carl Payne, Jackee Harris and many others who I kept in touch with.”
Celebrity in the cast
Payne is best known for his multiple co-starring roles as a comedic sidekick in two television sitcoms made popular in the 1980s – “Cockroach’’ on “The Cosby Show’’ and “Cole Brown’’ on “Martin.’’
Darby was able to hire his talented friend to star in “My Prodigal Child” for what he refers to as a seriously discounted, “Homeboy Rate.”
Payne was the only paid performer in the $7,500 budget comprised of local theater volunteers who rehearsed for three months prior to the July 25 show. Payne joined the cast three days prior to curtain call and according to Darby, he equitably combined scripted and improvisational acting for a stellar performance.
“No matter what I accomplish, I like to give back to my community,” said Darby who seeks to establish mentoring programs for performing arts in the urban community to build a platform for locals of all ages to showcase their talents, but reminds that community support is very important, which is how Tyler Perry got his start.
“It takes support to build dreams,” Darby quipped.
Famous brother
He also looks forward to teaming up with his Grammy-award winning brother Terrence Trent D’Arby, who is currently based and touring in Milan, Italy.
“We have discussed producing a duet, and he’s interested in being part of a musical score for a DVD production of my play,” said Darby.
Negotiations are currently underway for 2016 performance dates in Orlando and Jacksonville.
Dreams come true again
15 Florida teens in this year’s Dreamers Academy at Disney
BY PENNY DICKERSON
SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER
The seventh annual Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine was held March 6-9 at Walt Disney World Resort, but before the first high school teen arrived, mathematics were symbolic. A record 10,000 applicants wrote essays defining their dreams, but only 1 percent beat the odds to be counted among the 100 who comprised the class of 2014. They traveled from 27 states. This year’s group included 15 Florida Dreamers.
Walt Disney World Resort has partnered with stand-up comedian and author turned talk-show host Harvey and Essence since 2007 to offer more than 600 teens an unheralded opportunity to receive an all-expense paid trip that defies the word vacation. It is “a once-in-lifetime, innovative, outside-the-classroom, educational and mentoring program with a core mission to “inspire and fuel dreams.”
Prestigious judging panel
According to Harvey, “Disney Dreamers Academy gives hope and inspiration and exposes youth to a world of possibilities. We are excited about another opportunity to transform lives and give students an inside look at what their future can hold.”
Harvey leads a prestigious judging panel charged with narrowing the submitted essays to 100.
They include Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks; Mikki Taylor, Essence’s Editor-at-Large; Alex O. Ellis, CEO of Simply Ellis Custom Clothier; education advocate Dr. Steve Perry; gospel legend Yolanda Adams; sports analyst Stephen A. Smith; and a host of other celebrity notables who volunteer their time and, above all, share their own dreams.
Diverse group
The 15 from Florida were racially diverse, proving no teen’s dream is limited by color. Four males and 11 girls from varied parts of the peninsula meshed to form a cultural mosaic of African-Americans, Cuban-Americans, Cuban-Arabic, Whites and Hispanics. The Florida Dreamers’ stories unequivocally confirm – they are about business and seek to change the world.
Blonde-haired and blue-eyed Samantha Solberg from Longwood has a rare global connection to Kenya. The 16-year-old entrepreneur sends 50 percent of her profits from “Samantha’s Treasures” to “Girls with Vision in Africa” where the money is used for discipling, education, and wages. Further unique is the example of Pavlina Osta, whose radio show “Pavlina’s Kidz Place” airs on four Florida stations, giving airtime to a hotbed of social topics including depression, AIDS and bullying. A civic-minded 16-year-old, Osta is a former page for the Florida House and Senate.
Matthew Young is a junior attending Jacksonville’s nationally acclaimed Stanton College Preparatory High School. Academically focused, he is on target to pursue law or politics. Young is in the International Baccalaureate program, National Honor Society, National French Honor Society and National Film Honor Society.
Against all odds
Tra’Vaughn Harrington’s mother died when he was 5 years old. He doesn’t know his father. His 27-year-old sister serves as guardian and life-support for him and four siblings. At his core, Harrington is just an ordinary 15-year-old freshman from New Port Richey who loves football, wrestling, track and music.
His own temperament is more even than his life’s odds. His favorite class is engineering and he defies circumstance to embrace hope: “My dream is to become an engineer who builds roller coasters,” declared Harrington. “I want to own a theme park and be the reason why millions of people smile.”
Kiana Favors was born with one kidney and a hole in her heart. At age 12, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, endured radiation and chemotherapy, and survived a radical hysterectomy. Her body will never give birth to a living dream.
“My parents are the reason for my great attitude,” explained Favors. “They taught me to not let my illness be my crutch or define me. I am worth more than that [cancer]. I am here for a reason.” A vivacious high school senior, Favors now plays varsity basketball, runs track, and is one fighter who never looks back.
Neijia Riley is an 18-year-old Tampa-based senior with a 4.94-grade point average. She’s a socialite with discipline who is a “proud member” of the JROTC Drill Team, SGA, DECA, and Senior Class. Already a go-getter, this fall she’ll be a Florida Gator.
“I saw DDA on Facebook and noticed people who look like me, with Steve Harvey and Mickey Mouse. I decided to apply,” said Riley. With aspirations to become a world-class event planner, Riley beat remarkable odds twice. She was one of only two 2014 Dreamers selected to serve as an intern when Harvey hosts the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards in Atlanta Aug. 7-10.
Words to dream by
Beyond four days of motivation and celebrity mentoring, dreams were ignited by the weight of imparting words.
Dr. Steve Perry assured, “Those people who see themselves as victims in their lives become victims all their lives,” while Harvey impressed, “The more people you help become successful the more successful you become.”
Disney Dreamer William Williams (Norfolk, Virginia) is acknowledged by speaker Jonathan Sprinkles after receiving an award during the commencement of Disney Dreamers Academy at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Disney Dreamers Academy is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students across the U.S. (Gregg Newton, photographer)
Sought after speaker Jonathan Sprinkles offered the reflective, “Never adjust your expectations downward to compensate for your peer’s expectations.
But perhaps the most poignant message was extended by Disney Dreamers Academy Executive Champion Tracey D. Powell: “…Everyone leaves this program inspired to live their best life.”
There’s really only ONE choice, but click the link below to view the others.
(They are “alpha” listed not ranked)
50 Best Journalism Schools and Programs at U.S. Colleges and Universities [Updated for 2013].
Just like the rest of the world, last week’s bomb that blasted Boston during the world’s most famous marathon shook me at my core. Again? Terrorism? A bomb? For the most part I avoided television beyond the initial day and opted to read numerous reports from national news affiliates.
Afterall, reading is fundamental.
On the third day, I decided to write. I was tremendously moved and saddended by the death of eight-year-old Martin Richard. I am a mother, a grandmother, a human being with compassion. So many of the details I read made the circumstances worse. No one was reporting (widely) about his sister who is now an amputee or his mother who endured surgery on her brain.
Since last week, reports have emerged regarding the brothers, white cap and black cap, both of whom have been named prime suspects in the bombing, a cowardly act of domestic terrorism with proported foreign terrorism links.
I refuse to glorify the two Chech brothers and further refuse to type their names. They have become the foremost subjects of the bombing as suspects. Less we forget who the real victims are. Eight-year-old Martin Richard was also a brother. An older brother. A younger brother. A son and a human being who deserved to live.
The following are my thoughts from last week’s writing which somehow emerged as both a blog and a poem…guess that makes it a plog or a boem.
Eight-Year-Old Wins Boston Marathon
dedicated to Martin Richard
Two days ago, a bomb blasted Boston.
Two twin booms, 12 seconds apart startled the tension of trained marathon runners.
Pre-race worries were simply the strength of their Achilles.
Airborne limbs have left the innocent labeled amputees and
once again a young dreamer named Martin has lost his life.
Eight-years-old and already a symbol for peace;
a pint-sized recipient of a headstone he didn’t earn.
Pressure cookers were believed the suspected culprit.
Pressure cookers were believed to be smuggled in duffel bags ─ dark and heavy ─ like gathered skin sagging beneath a coward’s eyes.
According to the White House, President Barack Obama betrayed no emotion in offering his statement to the press:
“Any event with multiple explosive devices ─ as this appears to be ─ is clearly an act of terror.”
This can only mean one Commander-in-chief thing: It’s ON!
The city of Boston has been blasted.
The remnants have birthed blame and the young, late Martin Richard’s mother can’t sleep. Her baby boy is dead. She, too, was damaged by the bomb ─ surgeons’ saved her brain. Oddly, God protected her maternal psyche.
His sister lost her leg and a husband and father is simply left to mourn.
America joins him.
I, too, am a woman losing sleep over life. This bomb attempted to erase my memories. Boston was the city of popular frequent during my Lesley University graduate school days. Cambridge and Harvard Square were neck-tie nice and summer-stroll cool but,
Boston’s where you trekked to feel good noise.
Everybody thinks they know Boston for baked beans, clam chowder, and the Sock-it-to me Red Sox, but the bookstores (baby), the massive museums, the jazz and that Baaahhston dialect that slips through lips as though syllables were birthed to yawn.
There’s something kindred about a bomb at the footstool of folks you knew and still know. Lives were lost; bodies were injured and hurled down streets I casually walked. It feels like a domestic or foreign visitor roamed the same asphalt and spit in patriotic wind.
Boston belongs to everybody because we were 6th grade history, massacre-forced and double s – double t drilled to spell Massachusetts. But I Phyllis Wheatley, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. know Boston.
I former flight attendant ─ Logan Airport remember Boston before the blast. Frankly, I’m feeling all “What the hell?” and 911 pissed all over again. A bomb has killed a beautiful young boy?
While blogging, I’m pumping Quincy Jones’ “Back on the Block” album from way back when.
Big Daddy Kane kicked it off with rhyme;
Birdland has blared;
Sarah Vaughn screamed a sassy scat;
And now Take 6 is acapella acting out.
I’m waiting for Maestro Jones to bless Boston with the reason I’ve always loved Track 12:
Tomorrow ─ (A Better you, a Better me)” featuring Tevin Campbell
“I hope tomorrow will bring, a better you, a better me.
I know that we’ll show this world we got more we could be
So you should never give up on your hopes and your dreams
You gotta get up, get out, get into it, get it on to be strong…”
Martin Richards will never see another tomorrow, feel his mother’s warm embrace, or spike chicken nuggets in ketchup during lunch with his third grade classmates. Martin’s race is over; he crossed the Boston Marathon finish line first.
We are a strong America. We get up, get out, get into it, and get it on.
We keep it movin’ and
We are not deterred by terrorism.
I hope tomorrow will bring a better you, a better me…
I hope tomorrow will bring a better world.
This was the dream of two Martins.
Penny Dickerson 2013
Penny Dickerson 