Michelle Turner Photo
All eyes were on Erick Russell as he stood before 400 guests and supporters in the Fantasia ballroom.
Russell, a New Havener in his second year at UConn law school, is one of eight area students receiving scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 from the West Haven Black Coalition.
The Coalition honored those students and a host of other award recipients — including a host of New Haven movers and shakers — at its annual dinner Friday night.
When it came his time to speak, Russell addressed younger scholarship recipients.
“I want you to take a look around this room,” he said. “There are all types of people from all sorts of backgrounds — lawyers, doctors, accountants, teachers. Introduce yourself to them. Talk to them. Let them know what you’re interested in.
“They may be able to help you, and give you advice about your career. And maybe what they will tell you will help you make a decision about your future.”
Russell was echoing the event’s official theme: “Pass It On.”
It wasn’t just teachers doing the passing on. Monica Joyner (pictured seated next to scholarship recipient Malik Graves of Gateway Community College) teaches Math at Career High in New Haven. The Coalition gave her a community service award.
In the past Joyner has been named “teacher of the year.” This community service award felt different, she said Friday night. “it recognized work I had done outside of the teaching arena. I was simply doing what others had done for me and around me, which was simply giving back to my community. And it was quite a surprise.”
Also recognized for community service were New Haven Firebirds President, Lieutenant Gary Tinney and Ficklin Media LLC President Tom Ficklin (pictured seated next to scholarship recipient Tajha S. Grant). “A successful business is a successful community service,” Ficklin remarked.
A new awards category was announced this year: Sports. Hillhouse Girls’ Basketball Coach Catrina Hawley-Stewart and Former West Haven High standout Jackie Wearing were winners.
Hillhouse Boys Basketball Coach Kermit Carolina was also an awardee, but not for sports. State Sen. Toni Harp reminded the crowd that as Southern Connecticut State University college students back in the 1980s, Carolina, Michael Jefferson and Gary Highsmith demanded that the community do something for young people. The trio — coach Carolina; Jefferson, now a New Haven-based attorney; and Highsmith, Hamden High’s first African-American principal — , were recognized Friday night as ‘Distinguished Citizens.”
The captain of the boys basketball team at Hillhouse, Jahagi Gates (pictured), said Carolina has taught the team “how to be men.”
“He tells us how to carry ourselves in and out of school, how we should look and act on game day,” Gates said.
“The kdis want to be like him,” echoed Hillhouse Assistant Principal Belinda Carberry. “They run to him when they have problems, and he‘s always there to comfort them — to discipline them, and set them on the right track.”
“Oh, I can’t take that credit,” insisted Carolina. “Parents certainly have an influence on their kids.”
What does this award say for Hillhouse? he was asked.
“That we are setting an example for young people… that the tradition of athletes at Hillhouse, like Floyd Little, and the numerous names who have coached there, have set a standard of excellence that they must strive for.”
As usual, the Coalition annual dinner, organized by Carroll Brown, drew its fair share of politicos, including U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd (at center in above photo). “We will have health care this year!!!” Dodd told the crowd, which burst into applause.
Gubernatorial candidates Ned Lamont (pictured), Dan Malloy and Larry DeNardis showed up, too.
The dinner, held the past several years at North Haven’s Fantasia Restaurant, was emceed by News Channel 8 news anchor Keith Kountz, whose daughter Candace Kountz, was recognized for scholastic achievement; and by traffic anchor and “CT Style” host Desiree Fontaine.
