Mathews-Dickey celebrated "Education: Fuel for Young Minds" at the 2005 "Say Amen" Banquet. Mathews-Dickey “Say Amen” Provides Fuel for Young Minds The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club's 2005 ‘Say Amen’ Literacy Banquet provided "Education: Fuel for Young Minds." St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Creg Williams spotlighted his plans for fueling young minds and Engelhardt raised a record-breaking $225,000 for the Volunteer Tutorial, Computer Literacy Instruction, and career/leadership programs. Themed ‘Education: Fuel for Young Minds,’ the black-tie gala commenced with a fun flourish, as dancers clad in train conductors hats led program participants down the center aisle to the ‘Soul Train’ theme song. ‘Like coal fuels a locomotive down the tracks, education ignites our young people’s success and keeps them on the right track,’ KMOX Radio personality Jon Grayson announced. Mathews-Dickey Board Chairman Rev. William G. Gillespie presents a special award to keynote speaker Dr. Creg Williams, superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools. Engelhardt provided welcome remarks and provided an oversized check to Club co-founder Martin L. Mathews, representing event proceeds. The co-chairs joined him on stage: Ameren’s Chairman, President & CEO Gary Rainwater and Bank of America, Missouri President Pat Mercurio. Several community leaders and youth were honored at the gala. SSM Health Care VP Regional Information Systems Operations Joseph King received the fourth annual Bill Maritz Award for his contributions to expanding and renovating the Club’s computer lab. Other award winners included: Academic Scholar - Michael Burns III and Rosetta Hughes; Outstanding CLIP Volunteer - Aleshia McKay and Clifton Ellis; Outstanding Tutor Volunteer - Badia Katambwa and Tiffany Johnson; Outstanding Youth Volunteer - Vallisha Dennis and Eric Tyler; and Scholar Athlete - Lauren Witherspoon and Terrence Williams. Anheuser-Busch VP of Urban Marketing & Community Affairs Johnny Furr, Jr. presented the Soaring Eagle to Williams during the Sponsor Reception. Mathews-Dickey President & CEO Martin Mathews receives a check representing event proceeds as of August 20, 2005 from Bank of America's Pat Mercurio, Peabody Energy's Irl Engelhardt and AmerenUE's Gary Rainwater. Awards also were presented by: Sylvester Brown, metro columnist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Dave Ervin, vice president & GM, KMOX Radio; Rev. William G. Gillespie, the Club’s board chairman and pastor, Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church; Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, Jr., retired superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools; and Rene Knott, sports director, KSDK NewsChannel. Collage kept the crowd in high spirits with a soaring musical set. Muny Teens performer and Club member Alexandria Butler performed ‘God Bless America’ and teamed up with Mathews-Dickey alumnus Brittany Packnett to perform ‘The Sky is the Limit’. Computer Initiative Partners of the fund-raiser are Peabody Energy, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Dyno Nobel Inc., Enterprise Rent-A-Car and AmerenUE. KMOX Radio, KSDK News Channel 5 and St. Louis Post-Dispatch are co-media sponsors. American Airlines is the official airline sponsor. The Education fund-raiser is supported by the Club’s board of directors, Civic Progress and other businesses. For tickets or more information on volunteer opportunities at Mathews-Dickey, please call Barbara A. Washington or Bill Fronczak (314) 382-5952, ext. 234. Archived: 16th Annual “Say Amen” Banquet 15th Annual “Say Amen” Banquet 14th Annual “Say Amen” Banquet 13th Annual “Say Amen” Banquet 12th Annual “Say Amen” Banquet © 2006 Mathews Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club site. Privacy Policy