Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

Notables

Optimist essay contest winners

Alayna Veasey, a Wake Forest-Rolesville High School student, recently won the Optimist Club of Wake Forest essay contest with the theme of “How My Positive Outlook Benefits My Community.”

Veasey’s essay moves on to the district level. College scholarships are awarded to winners at the district and international levels.

Bridgett Knapp from West Millbrook Middle School placed second.

Cornwall receives state award

Dr. Loñieta Aurora Thompson Cornwall, a professor in Shaw University’s visual and performing arts department, recently received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from Gov. Bev Perdue.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award is given to those who have a record of excellence in the state of North Carolina, contribute to the community, show outstanding career efforts and have put in many years of service to their organizations. The award is the highest honor a North Carolina governor can bestow upon on a state resident.

Cornwall earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. She earned a second Master of Music degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

More than 13,000 people have received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award since it was created in 1965. Notable recipients include Maya Angelou, Billy Graham, Michael Jordan and Dan Blue.