Mathews-Dickey Celebrates ‘The Turning Point’ The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club’s has helped more than 1 million young people reach “The Turning Point” in their lives through structured educational, cultural and sports programs throughout the past four decades. The milestone was celebrated during the 42nd Annual Awards Banquet Weekend on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 4th & Chestnut Streets. The Saturday gala recognized the efforts of alumni, community leaders and volunteers, and more than 1,000 young people took center stage for their achievements in baseball, basketball, football, swimming and academics on Sunday. (Top Photo) Two Mathews-Dickey alumni: Phoenix Cardinals' Michael Young and Actor Kenric Richardson were the featured speakers for the 42nd Annual Awards Banquet Weekend. Growing membership and the increasing costs of athletic equipment inspired a new Bulldog Football & Cheerleading Adopt-A-Team Campaign. The Club recognized 25 football/cheerleading team sponsors, who helped raise more than $100,000 for the program, during the Feb. 15 14th Annual Alumni Sponsor Reception & Program at 5 p.m. Blues Artist Tyrone Davis, who popularized the song “The Turning Point,” performed at the gathering, which recognized eight alumni, 22 memorial and five civic honorees. “The Spirit of St. Louis” Award was presented to a pair of construction supermen siblings: Mike Clark, president, Clark Properties, and Robert Clark, chairman & CEO, Clayco Construction Co., Inc. Honors also were presented for Meritorious Service to Stephen George, president and chief operating officer, The PD George Co., and “In Appreciation of the Year” to Rosetta B. Kyles, retired reading specialist, Ferguson-Florissant School District and mother of Cedric “The Entertainer,” and Angela Majnerich, director of catering, Adam’s Mark. “Lady Jazz” Mae Wheeler and Jeffrey Hardin also were featured vocalists. In honor of the Bulldog Football & Cheerleading Campaign, the two featured speakers were alumni of this program. Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2001 NFL Free Agent Draft, Michael Young’s Mathews-Dickey youth football teams brought home the 1988-89 national championships from Florida and had a combined record of 78-0-1. Kenric Richardson is a junior at Georgia State University and has been cast in numerous motion pictures, including “Remember the Titans” starring Denzel Washington. The celebration continued at the 42nd Annual Awards Banquet at noon that Sunday. The Mother & Father of the Year, Baseball and Football Hall of Fame, Coaches of the Year, youth Medal of Excellence and sports achievers received honors that afternoon. The family-oriented gala also featured a mini-variety show of dazzling entertainment by the Mathews-Dickey 13-Heavy cheerleaders, Best Talent Center, St. Louis Academy of Dance Pazazz Performers and professional recording artist and Club alumnus Jamie Dennis. The weekend’s festivities were emceed by Rob Desir, sports anchor/reporter, KTVI Fox 2. The team sponsors include: Adam’s Mark Hotel, AmerenUE, American Medical Claims, Inc., Budrovich Excavating, The Catherine Manley Gaylord Foundation, Clark Properties, Clayco Construction Co., Inc., Drury Inns, Inc., Edward Jones, Energizer, Engineered Support Systems, Inc., Environmental Operations, Inc., Gateway National Bank, Gundaker Commercial, Grice Group Architects, Robert Grote, Heartland Snacks, Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods Stores, Inc., Michael Jones Foundation, Nelson Enterprises, LLC, Pickard Enterprises, Inc., Plaza Motor Company, Plaze Inc., Raymond E. Maritz & Sons, Inc., SSM Health Care and World Wide Technology, Inc. Event sponsors were Adam’s Mark Hotel, Anheuser Busch Companies, Bachelor Foods, Inc., Joan Callis, BJC HealthCare, The Catherine Manley Gaylord Foundation, Fox Sports Net Midwest, Guitar Center, Lohr Distributing Co., Maritz Inc., Nestle’ Purina Pet Care Co., Production Support Services, St. Louis Audio Visual, Inc., Southwest Airlines and SSM Health Care. Today, the Club serves more than 40,000 young men and women, ages 5-l8, throughout the St. Louis-metropolitan area. Mathews-Dickey provides structured athletic, educational and cultural-enrichment activities year after year. For more information, call Barbara A. Washington or Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 234. For more information on the Bulldog Football & Cheerleading Campaign, CLICK HERE. Members of the St. Louis Academy of Dance entertained with an energetic performance. The 2002 Outstanding Alumni Award is presented to long-time Club volunteer Aaron Waddell. The 2002 Coach of the Year Award winners. Archived: 41st Annual Awards Banquet Weekend Celebration © 2003 Mathews Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club site. Designed by the Moore Design Group.