| Editor's note: Keme Hawkins is involved in the graduation activities at UW these days. Watch for her column next issue. The Madison Metropolitan Chapter of the Links, Inc. will be hosting their 26th annual student recognition ceremony Sunday May 21st at East High School with a reception starting at 2 p.m. and the program immediately following the reception. This year's honorees include over 600 youth and approximately 50 parents and educators. Chris Hodge, Chair of the Services to Youth Program has dedicated over 40 years of services to educating our youth and has been an advocate for youth of color both professionally and personally. Principal Hodge said, " As Links we strive to recognize, support and encourage youth of color to be successful." The Links are an international service oriented, non-partisan volunteer organization. Theirs is a threefold approach; civic, educational and cultural with well over 10,000 members and the overall focus is to improve the global community. On a local level, they have initiated numerous events from sponsoring the annual Ebony Fashion Show with proceeds going to benefit area young people, the reading room at the Allied Drive Community Center, the holiday food baskets for local families as well as many other events throughout the community. The fund-raiser that was held this past December will allow the local chapter to give six scholarships to area seniors who will be attending college this fall and nine savings bonds for area middle school students. The organization works very closely with both the community and the schools to ensure that African American young people in our schools get recognized, it is a priority of the Links to promote education. The endless hours of dedication the women of this organization has shown to the community is often done without the communities awareness because the goal is not for self-actualization but for a better, healthier and more vibrant community. As I admire the efforts of many women in our community I can't help but smile at the thought of those who are champions for youth of color often contributing their own resources. I'm reminded of how important it is that we invest in our children when I think about Ms. Chris Hodge parting words to me, a quote from James Baldwin, "we realize these are all our children and that we shall pay for or profit by what they shall become." |
| 26th Annual African American Student Recognition Ceremony by Pamela Pfeffer |
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