“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke these words in 1957, and Monday, people gathered at Mississippi University for Women’s Nissan Auditorium to pay tribute, not only to King but to two local educators who have dedicated their lives to this principle.
Dr. Alma Turner, who most recently served as the vice president of the Columbus Municipal School District’s board of trustees, and Dr. Ezra Baker, a retired history teacher for the city schools, were recognized with a dramatic presentation in which Barbara Vaughn portrayed Turner, and LeShawn Orr portrayed Baker.
Each made speeches marking the highlights of the educators’ careers, from Turner’s position as the first black principal of Demonstration School to Baker’s “radical” stance at Hunt High School.
Turner was noted as a “true leader” and a “gentle person who knew how to get things done.”
These traits were frequently listed by Turner’s colleagues and friends in November, following her resignation from the city school board due to health reasons. She had served on the board since March 2004. Previously, she held numerous education and civic positions, including assistant superintendent of the West Point School District, regional director of the Institute of Community Services Head Start Program and board member for the United Way of Lowndes County.
One of her greatest accomplishments was teaching the district and community that through “dedication, determination and motivation, all things are possible,” Vaughn said.
Orr’s representation of Baker kept the audience of city leaders, pastors and community members laughing as he made gentle fun of Baker’s passion for Jackson State University. Baker received his bachelor’s degree in social studies at Jackson State, followed by a master’s degree in secondary education from Mississippi State University.
Baker taught history in the city schools from 1966 to 1984, then took an early retirement before returning to the classroom from 2000 to 2004. Throughout his career, his greatest pleasure was watching his students from Hunt High School, Lee High School and Lee Middle School graduate and go to college, Orr said.
He also made note of the time Baker was labeled a “radical” for refusing to stop wearing his hair in an Afro style while teaching.
Baker said Monday night via telephone that he was surprised to be recognized at the convocation.
“When you go against the grain, you know, it doesn’t earn you too many accolades,” he said. “My students were the ones that really gave me my pleasure and my props in education.”
Turner and Baker were presented plaques of appreciation at the event, which was sponsored by MUW, Columbus’ Professional Leadership Alliance and MUW’s Young Black Leadership Association.
“I’m not really retired,” Turner told the crowd. “I have a lot to do and plan to come back … I love this community, and I’m so passionate about education.”
Baker took the opportunity to praise his high school teachers and his professors at Jackson State, saying because they were good teachers, they taught him to be one as well and allowed him to rise above a difficult childhood.
“It’s not how long you live; it’s what you do,” Baker said. “Follow your passion. Know your strength. Practice, practice, practice. That is the key to success.”
Other highlights of the event included prayers from local pastors, a drama skit by Columbus High School’s Youth For Christ dance team and musical performances by Columbus High’s Gospel Choir and MUW’s United Harmony.
Numerous attendees received awards and recognition during the ceremony.
The student art contest:
- First place – Sydney Holt, Stokes-Beard Elementary School second-grader
- Second place – Anayia Weatherspoon, Sale Elementary School fourth-grader
- Third place – Mya Godfrey, Stokes-Beard Elementary School kindergartner
- Honorable mention – Jenae Matthews, Stokes-Beard Elementary School second-grader
The student essay contest:
- First place – Kerrigan Clark, Cook Elementary School fifth-grader
- Second place – Jaelan Craddieth, Sale Elementary School fourth-grader
- Third place – Joshua Jefferson, Stokes-Beard Elementary School third-grader
- Honorable mention – Sebastian Alejandro Rojas-Ricon, Cook Elementary School fourth-grader
The 2012 Unsung Heroes:
- Dr. Phillip Cockrell, Mississippi University for Women director of student life
- Capt. Fred Shelton of the Columbus Police Department
- Dr. Paul Veal of Veal Chiropractic
- Donnie Schippel, United Way volunteer
- Fire Chief Kenneth Moore of Columbus Fire and Rescue
The 2012 Oasis of Freedom and Justice award recipients are:
- Bill Walker, Brickyard Properties vice president
- Tony Carley, Mitchell Companies general manager
- Dr. Martha Liddell, Columbus Municipal School District interim superintendent
- Steve Moody, Columbus Boys and Girls Club executive director
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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