, , As I recall all she gave , ,, my eyes tear up ........ .
As the school months tripped onward one of my interests turned to playing the clarinet . This was only because of one of many stories about your band years in school . Your reason for telling us about your band experiences were to show us how to dispel boredom and maybe just keep our minds on something other than trouble . I can hear you saying pick up an instrument and practice , practice , practice ! On one of our many conversations during lunch in the noisy cafeteria , I let you know that my family couldn ' t afford a clarinet . Your question to me was , " How badly do you want it ?" My comment was I want it badly . Well she replied , ''A re you willing to work for it ?" " Yes ," I replied emphatically ... Then , my brain started churning . I guess I could sell some of my toys , hand wash clothes for Granny ( she ' s always haggling me to do ), and read to some people in the nursing home . She laughed and said , " What are you waiting for ?" Overtime , I was able with the help of my family , my jobs , and Mrs . Richardson to get a used clarinet . By the time I reached high school I became a section leader in the band . Practice , Practice , Practice , paid offi
One cold morning while on my way to school I saw a family of children who were walking to school without coats . My heart was broken and I was so sad to see them shivering and holding their arms around themselves . So , I told Mrs . Richardson about it . She immediately quieted the class and enlisted all of us to vote whether we wanted as a class to help the family . The entire class raised their hands and the fund raising began . We also got help from the other third grade classes . Enough money was raised within a week and was turned over to the PTA to purchase coats for the family . That gesture of kindness and getting involved stuck in me until this day . I recognized that it is my responsibility and honor to help those less fortunate than myself . Mrs . Richardson you taught me to be a giver !
Living in an urban community that is sometime plagued with violence or the appearance of it from a child ' s point of view can be frightening . Going to and from school became overwhelming for me . You see , they found a dead man lying face down in a ditch near the school . I saw the young man with locks lying there . Later on , I found out it was a young black male who was shot in the chest in the early morning hours . I was scared to death to walk to and from school . I believe we all were . Mrs . Richardson recognized our fear . She stood before the class and began gingerly reassuring us that it was unfortunate that the young man died but we however are alive . Her words are still with me today . They resonate , ' live today , and do all you can today for tomorrow is not promised . Press on for those things that are high and keep your head held high so that you can see what ' s ahead . Never , walk with a down hung head for you will only see that which was trampled .' Over time my fears went away and my thoughts returned to that of an eight year old or those things most children think .
Mrs . Deborah Richardson , my third grade teacher , lives on in me ! Because she captured my soul , and mind , she was able to bend my spirit into living life to the fullest . The academic and life lessons learned that year are being taught by me to my family and all those around me . I shall always be grateful for her and her tireless efforts to encourage , educate , and eradicate doubt in all her students !
The family of the late Mrs . Deborah Garron- Richardson would like to thank all those who gave donations to her scholarship drive . Recipients will receive their awards at the annual Divine Diva Scholarship Tea held August 10 , 2019 .
We are collecting donations for next year ' s recipients and would love for you to help us send deserving students to college . Send all donations to :
Patricia S . Kearse PO Box26004 Jacksonville , FL 32226
Your name and donation amount will be listed on the program ........ .
Deborah Garron Richardson Scholarship Patricia S . Kearse Divine Diva Scholarship Tea Jacksonville , Florida September 2019