|
|
 |
Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Former Barrett Station educator honored
By Maria Narciso
Baytown Sun Published February 17, 2006 A former Crosby school district educator was honored at Barrett Station’s annual Black History program Thursday night.
John E. David, who worked as a teacher and a principal in the Crosby school district for 37 years, was recognized for his service and dedication, not only to the district, but to the Barrett Station community as a whole.
The Crosby school district presented David with a plaque for being “a true servant of the people.”
Crosby Superintendent Don Hendrix said David predicted years ago that Barrett Station’s Anglo and Mexican communities would eventually grow larger than its African American population.
David worked to make Crosby a single member district and ensured two minority representatives to participate in district-wide decisions.
“It may not be as exciting as a slam dunk or as an invention, but it’s important,” Hendrix said. “Without him, the minority influence would be diluted now.”
Hendrix said he personally considered David a “great American hero.”
“Of all the people I’ve met in my 20 years here, there’s no one that has more of my respect than John E. David,” he said.
Harris County Precinct 2 also declared Thursday as John E. David Day in Barrett Station.
“Just reading the proclamation I was moved with the strength of the individual and all his accomplishments,” deputy commissioner Judson Robinson said. “I’m so glad we had the chance to recognize him.”
Other community members also praised David. Barrett Station resident Cheri Batiste said she made sure to attend the program when she heard her former high school principal was going to be honored.
“He touched my life greatly,” she said. “He was someone you could always look up to and talk to. He was a principal at school and at home.”
David said he was surprised to be honored at the program.
“It’s been exciting and wonderful,” he said. “I gave this community everything I had, and I’ve seen this community grow.”
Four cultural songs and a short skit, “Guess What I Made,” written by Bobbi Yarbrough, were also performed by the Riley Chambers/ Barrett Station Senior Group.
It was the second time for Houston resident Monica Boyd and her two children to attend the program in support of Boyd’s father, one of the members of the Senior Group.
“I work all the time but I wouldn’t miss this,” she said. “They sound so good.”
Alonzo Streety, a junior from Crosby high school, attended the program for a second year with his parents.
“I thought it was real nice and very informative,” he said. “Those who didn’t come missed a lot of history.”
There was a low turnout this year due to conflicting events in two of the community’s largest churches. Malcolm Barrett, director of the Barrett Station Community Center, said at the beginning of the program he was stunned at the lack of a crowd, since the program usually brought a full house.
David said he was also disappointed with the low turnout. “I want to say to the people, ‘Shame, shame, shame on you,’” he said.
Baytown Sun Published February 17, 2006 A former Crosby school district educator was honored at Barrett Station’s annual Black History program Thursday night.
John E. David, who worked as a teacher and a principal in the Crosby school district for 37 years, was recognized for his service and dedication, not only to the district, but to the Barrett Station community as a whole.
The Crosby school district presented David with a plaque for being “a true servant of the people.”
Crosby Superintendent Don Hendrix said David predicted years ago that Barrett Station’s Anglo and Mexican communities would eventually grow larger than its African American population.
David worked to make Crosby a single member district and ensured two minority representatives to participate in district-wide decisions.
“It may not be as exciting as a slam dunk or as an invention, but it’s important,” Hendrix said. “Without him, the minority influence would be diluted now.”
Hendrix said he personally considered David a “great American hero.”
“Of all the people I’ve met in my 20 years here, there’s no one that has more of my respect than John E. David,” he said.
Harris County Precinct 2 also declared Thursday as John E. David Day in Barrett Station.
“Just reading the proclamation I was moved with the strength of the individual and all his accomplishments,” deputy commissioner Judson Robinson said. “I’m so glad we had the chance to recognize him.”
Other community members also praised David. Barrett Station resident Cheri Batiste said she made sure to attend the program when she heard her former high school principal was going to be honored.
“He touched my life greatly,” she said. “He was someone you could always look up to and talk to. He was a principal at school and at home.”
David said he was surprised to be honored at the program.
“It’s been exciting and wonderful,” he said. “I gave this community everything I had, and I’ve seen this community grow.”
Four cultural songs and a short skit, “Guess What I Made,” written by Bobbi Yarbrough, were also performed by the Riley Chambers/ Barrett Station Senior Group.
It was the second time for Houston resident Monica Boyd and her two children to attend the program in support of Boyd’s father, one of the members of the Senior Group.
“I work all the time but I wouldn’t miss this,” she said. “They sound so good.”
Alonzo Streety, a junior from Crosby high school, attended the program for a second year with his parents.
“I thought it was real nice and very informative,” he said. “Those who didn’t come missed a lot of history.”
There was a low turnout this year due to conflicting events in two of the community’s largest churches. Malcolm Barrett, director of the Barrett Station Community Center, said at the beginning of the program he was stunned at the lack of a crowd, since the program usually brought a full house.
David said he was also disappointed with the low turnout. “I want to say to the people, ‘Shame, shame, shame on you,’” he said.