Olympian Jarrion Lawson among honorees at local community event
Macedonia-Eylau Community in Action held it’s 13th annual community day Saturday at Liberty-Eylau School of Success to honor four of the finest in Texarkana’s African-American community.
James Keeton, MECA president and longtime Liberty-Eylau Independent School District board member, said MECA is all about giving back to the community. The gymnasium outside SOS is standing proof of a community sticking together during integration, he said.
“We try to do what’s best for all students,” Keeton said.
Jarrion Lawson was awarded the Daniel E. Haskins Educational Scholarship for his determination and continuing success. Lawson, who graduated from Liberty-Eylau High School in 2012, participated in football, band, basketball and track and made history in June by joining Jesse Owens as the only athlete in American history to compete in a trio of wins at the NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Lawson said he finished his undergraduate degree in kinesiology in three years at the University of Arkansas and now is working on his Master of Business Administration. Lawson signed a shoe contract with Asics this summer and will now compete as a professional athlete.
DeMarcus Pegue Jr. was honored with the James Brannon Community Service Scholarship. Pegue graduated from L-EHS this year as salutatorian. Pegue earned a football and academic scholarship to Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He was unable to attend Saturday because of school obligations, and his grandmother accepted his scholarship for him.
L-EHS Principal Kendrick Smith proclaimed Oct. 22 as Community Day for MECA.
“I’m happy to serve in any way possible,” Smith said.
Haskins was honored posthumously, with his wife, Leatrice, accepting a plaque on his behalf. Haskins was described as a servant leader.
“He believed in getting a diverse opinion to work for the common good,” Leatrice Haskins said. “He cared about everyone, not just their job.”
“One thing he loved was children—his nine brothers and two sisters,” she said.
Sylvester Crosslin, a founding member of MECA, also was honored posthumously this year.
“We must continue the legacy of our dearly departed brother, helping those in need, keeping our neighbors informed of pertinent issues, feeding the poor and spreading the good news about what God has done for us,” Keeton said.
Jada Catherine Lloyd of Hope, Ark., performed the national anthem and introduced Professor Robert A. Jones, dean of students at Texarkana College. Jones is also president of the Greater Texarkana, Texas, branch of NAACP.
Jones said it is important that everyone go out and vote this year, no matter who they vote for.
“If you have a Plan A, you have to have a Plan B,” Jones said.