By Brooke Waller
Salisbury Post
In honor of 14-year-old Brooklyn Jones, who was killed in a stabbing in February, Salisbury High School is establishing the Brooklyn Jones Memorial Scholarship: A Move to End Urban Violence. Sponsored by the executive committee of the schools Student Government Association (SGA), the scholarship honoring the memory of the Salisbury High freshman is open to college-bound seniors at the school.
The student body wants to honor Brooklyn and give a deserving student the opportunity to go to college who might not otherwise have it, said Tom Fisher, the second vice president of the Student Government Association.
The SGA created this scholarship to not only remember Brooklyn but to promote education and an end to urban violence.
The deaths of Brooklyn Jones and Knox Middle School student Treasure Feamster have put a spotlight on the problem of gang violence in recent months.
Hannah Peach, a senior at Salisbury High, says she hopes that sponsoring this scholarship will bring attention to the senseless violence and help stop it.
So many teenagers these days dont have role models and positive people to look up to, Fisher said.
Gang activity affects everybody not only people in the gang but everyone else as well, said Brittany Taylor, president of the SGA.
Hayley Lomax, corresponding secretary of the SGA, said the SGA hopes to inspire someone who receives the scholarship to not get involved with gang activity and to do something positive with his or her life.
The SGA has raised approximately $500 and is seeking donations from businesses and individuals in the local community who would like to contribute money to the scholarship. The SGA hopes that additional donations will help them reach its goal of $1,000.
Members of the SGA have raised some of the funds for the scholarship by setting up donation tables in the cafeteria, where students have donated money.
Sandra Jackson, the mother of Brooklyn Jones, says she thinks the scholarship is fabulous and really positive.
I hope the person who receives the scholarship will be able to go to college and carry out their dreams, Jackson said.
Jackson has found her own way to honor her sons memory. My son loved and had a passion for bikes and wanted to be an engineer when he grew up. He was a very energetic child that loved to work on bikes, she said.
Jackson is starting a bike foundation in honor of her son. She said since her son loved bikes so much she wants to share that love by collecting bikes of any kind. They hope to donate bikes to Rowan County churches to distribute to people who need them.
The deadline for students to apply for the scholarship for study in the 2007-2008 academic year is May 18.
Salisbury High School students interested in applying for the scholarship may contact Assistant Principal Chris Boylan for more information.
Individuals and businesses who would like to help sponsor the Brooklyn Jones Memorial Scholarship can contact Boylan at 704-636-1221.
Brooke Waller is a senior at Salisbury High School and an intern for the Post.