Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club

The entire weekend was dedicated to the Club’s co-founders, with a custom bobblehead presented to Martin Luther Mathews and the late Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine’s granddaughter Kimberly MacLean by young members of the organization. Barbara A. Washington, the Club’s vice president, public relations & special events, unveiled these items, along with a Bulldog Football player figurine and Build-A-Bear Workshop cheerleader, to launch an online store.

The auspicious occasion was marked by a number of special presentations. Anheuser-Busch’s Bruce Shead and AmerenUE’s Richard Mark each announced donations of $25,000 on behalf of their companies to the Club. As the anniversary celebration chairman, Mark challenged to community to match the $50,000 through the Golden Anniversary Campaign. He also announced an exciting array of activities, culminating in a “President’s Day” parade on July 22 — the 28^th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan’s declaration of the Club as a model for the country.

Recognition for distinguished leaders also was the order of the day. “The Spirit of St. Louis” award was presented to “The Fast Lane,” 101.1 FM, ESPN Radio host Randy Karraker and KMOV-TV, Channel 4 News Anchor Vickie Newton for their distinguished career achievements and long-time involvement with the Club’s career readiness programs. The Meritorious Service Award went to St. Louis Fire Department Chief & Commissioner Dennis Jenkerson, for his commitment to safety funding, equipment and training. Thierry Kennel, manager of the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, took home the “In Appreciation of the Year” award, for supporting youth hospitality training and volunteer recognition programs.

Outstanding Alumni honorees includeD Joshua Curry, professional development teacher, Pierre Laclede Elementary School; Tara “Peaches” Harris, senior consultant, AT&T; Candice Muhammad, engineer, The Boeing Company; and Reginald Keith Robinson, II, production assistant & producer, News Channel 5.

KTVI Fox 2’s Bonita Cornute and veteran broadcaster Bill Wilkerson toasted the evening, along with award presenters Club Board Chairman Rev. William G. Gillespie, Vice Chairman and Greater Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Earl Nance, Jr. and Radio One Production Director Steve Byes. The 3 Central jazz band supplied entertainment.

The roll call of remaining award winners included :

MEMORIAL
Mary Allen Memorial — Mollye Austin
Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine Memorial — Solomon Alexander
Rose Mae Ballentine Memorial — Gloria Dampier
Garland Barnes Memorial — Harold Collard
Bessemer Carter Memorial — Steven Player
Florence Carter Memorial — Dorothy Fleming
Eugene Crymes Memorial — Michelle Vinson
Larry Ford Memorial — Aaron Owens
George Green Memorial — Gregory Wayne, Jr.
Marie Hankemeyer — Marianne Moore
Anna B. Hines Memorial — Mary Catherine Swan
Catherine Hines Memorial — River Fronczak
Christine Jinkins Memorial — Mary Johnson
Hildred L.C. London Memorial — Sara Moulder
Barbara Mathews Memorial — Delma Fransaw
Cerman F. Mathews Memorial — Phil Betts
Eugene Miller Memorial — Michael and Victoria Daugherty
Rhodia Miller Memorial — Lisa Emmengger
Willie Morganfield Memorial — Marlon Vinson
William Patterson Memorial — Stephanie White
Osbie Savage, Sr. Memorial — Wardell Buchanan
Vernice Trice Memorial — Gloria Ross
Mary Vercer Memorial — Jodi Jordan
Pearl S. White Memorial — Lynette Broeg
James Whiteside Memorial — Andrew Jameson
Verlie D. Williams Memorial — Barbara Sharp
Tommie Younger, Jr. Memorial — Felicia Simril-Brown
Samella Zomphier Memorial — Michelle Henson

MEDALS OF EXCELLENCE
Bronze Medalists — Ashley Brown and Akeem Shannon
Silver Medalists — Nakia Robinson and Gregory Rutherford
Gold Medalists — Blair Thomas and Jordan Wilson

SPORTS
Mother of the Year — Laticha Green
Father of the Year — Michael Roberts, Jr.
Baseball Hall of Fame — Al Fowler
Football Hall of Fame — William Carter, Jr.
Baseball Manager of the Year — Cory Henderson
Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year — Raeffel Merriweather
Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year — Nakia Robinson
Football Coach of the Year — Ronald Harris
Cheerleading Coordinator of the Year — ShaniseTartt

Taking the spotlight on Feb. 13 were the youth trophy recipients. Alumnus and Mathews-Dickey VP, Sports & Operations Tom Sullivan presides over the presentation of trophies in baseball, basketball, cheerleading and football.

Major sponsors of the anniversary celebration were AmerenUE and Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Mathews-Dickey provides structured athletic, educational and cultural-enrichment activities for more than 40,000 young men and women, annually. For more information, call Barbara Washington or Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 234.