First Waughtown Baptist Church celebrates the Class of 2020
First Waughtown Baptist Church (FWBC) recognized nine high school and college graduates and graduation candidates during its College Day service Sunday, May 31, during the 10 a.m. virtual service. The annual observance celebrated the academic achievements of the following scholars:
*DaZah Brooks, daughter of Mrs. Robin Brooks, graduated from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with a bachelor of science degree in family and consumer science with a concentration in child development. She plans to return to NCCU in the fall to pursue the master’s degree in special education.
*Adia Carter is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thurmond R. Carter. She will graduate from Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School. She is a recipient of $4,500 in scholarships from the Martin Luther King Social Action Committee of Thomasville and plans to attend UNC-Greensboro and major in visual art.
*Kesha Coleman-Simon graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a bachelor’s of science degree in birth-kindergarten education. She aspires to attend Salem College to pursue the master’s degree in education. She is married to Mr. Chris Simon.
*Carmen Cross graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in the summer of 2019 with a bachelor’s of science degree in sports science & fitness management. The daughter of Ms. Robin Morrison, she hopes to earn her Ph.D. in pediatric physical therapy.
*Mary Goodine is the daughter of Mr. Oscar Pettigrew and Min. Pamela Goodine. She will graduate from Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy and enroll in Pfeiffer University with a Prudden Scholarship, valued at $9,000, to major in business administration.
*Antonia Hicks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Hicks, graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a bachelor of social work degree. She plans to return to school next spring to pursue the master’s degree in social work.
*Bria Lindsay is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Lindsay. She graduated from Western Carolina University with the bachelor’s of science degree in anthropology with a concentration in forensic anthropology and minors in criminal justice and history. She plans to pursue the master’s degree in forensic anthropology.
*Min. Teaquoise Lindsay earned the bachelor’s of arts degree in sociology from Salem College. She currently works in administrative support in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Min. Lindsay is married to Mr. Gregory Lindsay.
*Baajah Mohammed is the daughter of Ms. LaTonya Moore. She graduated with a master’s of music degree in vocal performance and vocal pedagogy from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. She plans to open a private voice studio and pursue doctoral studies.
Dr. Dennis W. Bishop, senior pastor of FWBC, delivered the graduation message “Is there a Daniel in the Class?” Drawing from Daniel 1:5-8 in the familiar story of the Old Testament prophet, Pastor Bishop declared that Daniel withstood the ultimate standard’s test as he “purposed in his heart” to stay true to his God despite the risk of rejecting the food given to him by his Babylonian captors. “Everything in his life revolved around God and his home training,” Pastor Bishop said.
The challenge, he counseled new graduates, is to use their faith and upbringing to be a positive influence. As they face a rough, changing, hostile world, he pondered, “How much more incredible life would be if you would be a good influence on others!” He closed his message by citing the achievements of such notables as multi-talented Dr. Maya Angelou, writer/activist James Baldwin, and former President Barack Obama, and imploring graduates to look in the mirror and purpose in their hearts to be greater because with God, all things are possible for those who purpose in their hearts.
