The Texarkana Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. recently held its 47th Outstanding Young Men (OYM) Presentation at the Holiday Inn Texarkana Arkansas Convention. Each year the Sorority recognizes the accomplishments of area high school seniors for their outstanding achievements and public service. This year, 29 young men were recognized from Ashdown, Hope, and the Texarkana surrounding school districts.
Chapter member Shirley Dansby served as the mistress of ceremony. Chapter President Magigor Love extended greetings and offered words of wisdom, inspiration, and gratitude for the support for this year's event. The invocation was given by the Chaplin, Angela Brewster. Kendall Reid, former OYM, issued the charge to the OYM as to the importance of their not resting on current achievements and learning to balance the realities of life in pursuit of their goals and future endeavors. During the Pinning Ceremony, each OYM presented a red rose to their mother and were officially pinned by their mother.
The OYM entertained the capacity crowd through poetry and serenaded their mothers through song. A video slide presentation of biographical information on each OYM was presented to the audience. OYM participants were presented plaques, gifts, and special recognition awards. A total of $10,000 was awarded in scholarships and a total of $1,500 in monetary awards to Kaleo Anderson, Jaden Davis, Raven King, Kendall Magee, Kelston Mask, Michael Mothershed, Derek Murphy, Jr., Peyton Page, Kalen Redmond, Jayden Stewart, and Dominic West. OYM Michael Walker Jr. was awarded the Marietha Neal Memorial Scholarship.
The theme for this year's presentation, "Embracing Change in 2023" is in keeping with one of the Sorority's Five Point Programmatic Thrusts: Educational Development. Chairs for this year's presentation were Lea McDonald and Donna Yarber. A reception followed.
Kaleo Da'Quan Anderson is the son of Kelly Muldrew. He is a senior at Hope High School in Hope, Arkansas.Kaleo is active in the Student Council, National Honor Society, and the Knights of Pythagoras (P.H.A.) Jurisdiction of Arkansas, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Talent Search. He is also a member of the football team, basketball team, baseball team, and track team. He attended Boys State this summer. Kaleo is involved in community service activities such as highway clean-up, city-wide clean-up, feeding the homeless at a Texarkana shelter, providing goody bags for residents in homes for the elderly, and serving in his church.
He has received the Grand Master Knight of the Knights of the Pythagoras Award which is the highest honor. He also received the President's Award at school, and he has maintained above a 4.GPA throughout his schooling from Beryl Henry to the present. He is currently ranked as the No. 1 student in his class.
Jaden Quantrell Davis is the son of Shelonda Chares and La'Rozi Davis, Sr. He is a senior at Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas.
Jaden is active in the Student Council, He is also a member of the football, basketball, baseball, and track teams. He was also active in the Culinary Arts Club, Leopard Band, and All-Stars Basketball Summer League and volunteered at the WJ Ranch. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is employed at Albertsons.
Jeremiah DeWayne-Nicholas French is the son of Renee Porter. Jeremiah is a senior at Arkansas Senior High School.
Jeremiah is an A/B Honor Roll student and is a member of the school choir. His volunteer activities include feeding the homeless.
Christian Makaio Gullatt is the son of Jimmy Gullatt and Chasitity Guillermo. He is a senior at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas.
Christian is a member of the Pleasant Grove High School soccer team and track team. He has also been a member of the football team. He was a member of the District Track Championship team in his junior year and finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the 4x400 meter relay throughout the season. He also finished 3rd in the District Track Meet during his sophomore year.
His hobbies include playing video games, watching anime, watching movies, training his cousins in soccer, being around family, and learning family history.
Daryon Sequan Jackson is the son of Crystal D. Savage. He is a senior at Texas High School in
Texarkana, Texas.
Daryon is the band captain and section leader of the percussion section of the Texas High School band. He is also on the Texas High baseball team. He has volunteered throughout the community including washing fire trucks for the Texarkana Fire Department. He also volunteers for the media team at his church. He has received the Heart of the Tiger Award which is awarded for leadership and setting good examples for the people around you and having a positive attitude toward others.
Raven Joshua King is the son of Brittini and Deangelo Smith and Jivara Arnett and the grandson of Carolyn and Raven Lewis Sr. He is a senior at Arkansas High School.
Raven is an active member of Miles Chapel CME Church where he participates in morning worship, is a junior usher, and sings in the male choir. He is also a member of the Miller County NAACP and the Twin City Chapter of Top Teens where he has held various positions including Treasurer, Secretary, and Parliamentarian.
Raven has been honored with the Good Citizenship Award and listed on the A/B Honor Roll on several occasions and Defensive Player of the week 2021-2022.
Montavious Treshunn Larry is the son of Ms. LaToya Larry. He is a senior at Texas High School.
Montavious works in his church and took part in the Christmas play.
Kendall Lovell Magee is the son of Ashley Magee and Justin Williams. He is a senior at Texas High School.
Kendall is active in the band, percussion ensemble, piano, choir, debate team, Tre M music honor society, and Skills USA. He is a pianist, a percussionist, such as the vibraphone, snare, bass drum and timpani djembe.
Kelston JaBrone Mask is the son of Ida Mae Mask. He is a senior at Hope High School.
He is a youth usher at Haynes Chapel Church and a youth motivational speaker at Mt. Olive FWB, Buckner, Arkansas. Kelston is vice president of the Future Farmers of America, placed 2nd in public speaking for FFA, and is the public speaker for the 12th-grade student board. He was a member of the Hope High School football team, and baseball team, and was District Track Champion. He won 1st place in calf haltering and 2nd place in a bull riding competition.
Toddrick Eugene Matthews Jr. is the son of Mary Kay Matthews. He is a senior at Ashdown
High School.
Toddrick is a member of the Youth Choir at St. Rest Baptist Church and he volunteers for the "Be Like CJ" Foundation. Toddrick is a member of the basketball team and track teams. He was recognized as a scoring leader in basketball and a member of the All-Conference basketball team.
Michael Dean Mothershed is the son of Tomeka and Michael Mothershed Sr. He is a senior at Texas High School.
Michael plays varsity football and basketball and he also mentors elementary students with dyslexia, feeds the homeless, and assists in cleanup projects at his school and on local highways.
Michael's special recognitions include being premiered on Texarkana Game Day for his outstanding plays for football and being selected as Outstanding Young Man by the Texarkana Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Derek Joaquin Murphy Jr. is the son of Derek and Angela Murphy. He is a senior at Liberty-Eylau High School.
Derek is a faithful member of Rose Hill Church of God in Christ.
Derek serves as president of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America, a member of the Student Council, Interact Club, Student Leadership, Varsity Golf, Today's Youth Tomorrow's Leaders, Rotary Youth and Leadership Club, and Spanish Club. He is the Drum Major of the Liberty-Eylau High School Band. Derek also competes in the following UIL Academic Teams: Social Studies, Literacy, Criticism, Copy Editing, Spelling, Current Events, and Persuasive Speech.
Derek is listed on the "A" Honor Roll, was chosen as Sophomore and Junior Class Favorite, and received the Perfect Attendance, Top 2 Principal, and Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards. He also participated in Texas Boys State.
Peyton Shawn Page is the son of Ingrid and Anthony Brown and Shawn Page. He is a senior at Liberty-Eylau High School.
Peyton is a member of Hickory Hill Baptist Church where he participates in the youth department. At Liberty-Eylau, Peyton is a member of the Student Council, Varsity Football Team, Bass Fishing Team, Powerlifting Team, and Show Team. He has been voted one of the football team captains, qualified for regionals on the powerlifting team, competed in numerous tournaments on the Bass fishing team, and participated in several Bowie County livestock shows as well as an exhibitor in the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock show in Fort Worth. In 2021, Peyton and his goat, Cream, placed 2nd place in his division. Peyton has received awards in track & field, fishing tournaments, FFA, and athletics. He has also volunteered with the Rotary Club Flag Program.
Kentrevion Tariq Parker is the son of Lillian Harris and Robert Lee Watson. He is a senior at Arkansas High School.
Kentrevion has been on the A/B honor roll. He has received certificates for his academic performance. Kentrevion played receiver for Arkansas High School. He served as the captain several times during football games. He is also on the track team. He runs 300 hurdles, long jump, high jump, and triple jump. He has placed first in the 300 hurdles.
Camron Nassir Petty is the son of Felicia Butler and DeEdric Petty. He is a senior at Texas High
School.
Camron is active in his church by serving as an usher and helping on the cleaning committee. At Texas High, Camron has been listed on the honor roll and was a top test scorer in Algebra and Chemistry. He has also been a member of the football team and a STUCO member.
Kalen LaSean Redmond is the son of Terece and Jabbar Gooden. He is a senior at Liberty-Eylau High School.
Kalen is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the Art Club.
Cardell Walker Robinson is the son of LaMetrice Creer and Antario Robinson. He is a senior at Liberty-Eylau High School.
Cardell is a member of the Ashdown Varsity Football Team and Theatre Class. He is a Senior Class Officer. He is an A/B honor roll student and received the defensive player of the week award and the Big Gillie player of the week award while attending Ashdown High School. While attending school in the Liberty- Eylau School District, Cardell was a member of the baseball team, football team, and band.
Kyron Jamar Smith is the son of Kendrick Smith and DeAna Smith. He is a senior at Pleasant Grove High School.
Kyron is enrolled in dual credit courses, gaining college credit as a high school student. He has been on the AB honor roll while enrolled in these classes. Kyron has won awards in track for his athletic ability.
Ryan D. Steverson is the son of Samuel and Erin Berry and Ronnie and Terri Coleman. He is a senior at Pleasant Grove High School.
Ryan is an active member of The Scholars and the Mount Grove Baptist Church Youth Department.
Jayden Elijah Stewart is the son of Jordan Stewart and Amber Watson. He is a senior at Pleasant Grove High School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society.
Jayden played percussion in the band and stopped when he entered high school in order to focus on sports.
His extracurricular activities include football, basketball, and track. He was a part of the District Champs Track and Field Team in 2021. He has volunteered with the Scholars Leadership Organization, Running WJ Ranch, Texarkana, TX Special Olympics, the football leadership council, and on the Night to Shine prom committee.
Emmanuel Alexander Thurman is the son of Mary Henderson and Nickolas Thurman and the grandson of Jeffrey and Labrethia Hill and Charles Henderson and Barbara Henderson. He is a senior at Arkansas High School.
Emmanuel has been a member of the Arkansas High Track Team for three years and a participant in the Air Force ROTC for 2 years.
Oren Jameson Tidwell is the son of O.J. and Tarra Tidwell. He is a senior at Pleasant Grove High
School.
Oren has served as a junior usher at Greater Tate Temple for 2 years. Oren enjoys playing video games and watching football and basketball and has been an athletic trainer for 2 years.
Michael Douglas Walker Jr. is the son of Patrina Mothershed and Jason Dixon. He is a senior at Liberty-Eylau High School.
At Liberty-Eylau High School, Michael is a member of Leadership, Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), sports teams, and the marching band. He is an all-A honor roll student who helped lead his Student Council to Region 8 and many other school events.
Queymanii Quantrell Webster is the son of Quiara Webster. He is a Senior at Texas High School.
Queymanii is affiliated with New Light CME Church located in Nashville, Arkansas, where the Rev. Johnny Stuart presides. During the summer Queymanii participates in the youth ministries and choir.
His community involvement includes helping his great-grandmother when he visits her in Houston. He also assists his uncle Joshua Webster in his barbershop and his uncle Hollis Webster Jr. in cleaning his 18-wheeler. He is employed with
Burlington Coat Factory where he is a Sales Associate. His extracurricular activities include being a former member of the Texas High Varsity football team in 2022. He also was a former member of the Junior Varsity football from 2019-2021. He is a member of FFA.
Dominic Dylan West is the son of Dr. Kenneth W. West and Mrs. Treva West. He is a senior at Texas High School.
Dominic is a 12-year member of Boys Scouts of America and has served as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Den Chief, and Historian. He is a 16-year member of Texarkana Twin Cities, Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. He has served as Teen Vice-President, Teen Secretary, Teen Treasurer, and Teen Historian. Currently, he is the Regional Teen Parliamentarian, South Central Region. He is involved in Texas High School Esports and was a two-year member of the junior varsity tennis team.
Dominic volunteered over 100 hours of community service from 2021-2022. He is an Eagle Scout. Dominic also received the Texas High School Heart of the Tiger Award in Debate, Physics, and two awards in Latin. He received the Junior Championship Sportsmanship Award from the United States Tennis Association.
Draelon Talik Williams is the son of TaRoya Lawson. He is a senior at Hope High School.
Draelon is a member of the football team, basketball team, and baseball team. He is also active in GT and FBLA. He received special recognition in Arkansas Boys State.
Xavier LeBron Wilson is the son of Cassandra Wilson. He is a senior at Hope High School.
Xavier has been an A/B Honor Roll student throughout his school years. He currently has a 3.5 GPA. Xavier is active in the school band and robotics class. He has served as a volunteer greeter at the Bill Clinton Train Depot and participated in community service activities at Hope Academy Public School (HAPS).
William Winkfield Jr. is the son of Britney Slade and Eric Price. He is a senior at Texas High School. He is a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he serves as a sound technician.
William plays football, basketball, and runs track for Texas High School and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He has earned the mathematics achievement awards for Algebra 1 and 2, received first place in the triple jump for TAAF, and is taking a dual credit class for business and Management.
Triston Lavail Young is the son of Detrich and Selena Young and the grandson of Mr. Willie Young and Ms. Cynthia Pace. He is a senior at Hope High School.
Triston has been listed on the A/B Honor Roll throughout his high school career, a member of the National Honor Society, Arkansas Boys State delegate, and 5A Southwest Honorable Mention in football and basketball. He has played Bobcat football for 2 years, basketball for 3 years, and baseball for 4 years. He received the BigKut MVP and Farm Bureau Insurance player of the week in football. He played travel baseball with the SW Slammers of Arkadelphia, AR for 6 years where he earned fifteen 1st place rings, and eleven 2nd place rings, and made the All-Tournament Team in 2014 and 2016. Triston also participates in volunteer clean-up activities with his teammates, coaches, and the Brotherhood of Fulton.