Scholarships

Dollars For Scholars

By Toni Cromer

Dollars For Scholars Next Meeting will be held on June 1st @ 1:00 in the High School Cafeteria.

On Saturday May 1st the Madison Dollars For Scholars sponsored the Bernard Long Memorial Dollars For Scholars Walk. The event was attended by over 50 people who walked/ran the course around the 3rd Street Madison Ball Diamond and Fire Station Park several laps for a distance of 5 Kilometers. Attendees received a t-shirt to mark the occasion as well as several fitness related door prizes. The event raised over $1500 for the local Dollars For Scholars chapter which provides several renewable scholarships per year to the graduating Seniors to support their college education.

Several members of the Long Family were present and participated in the walk to honor this long time principal of Madison CUSD #12 and the namesake for Bernard Long Elementary School. The family members included: Vincent Manuel, Virginia Jenkins, Jennifer Crowell, Bernadette Long, Byron Jenkins, Bernard Long Jr., Tonnie Kamkwalala Jr., Mae Ella Williams, Dwight Washington, Alaina Kamkwalala, Tonnie Kamkwalala, Sr., Roderick Williams. Not pictured: Kathy Manuel, Shemia Jenkins, Albert Long.

Mr. Bernard Long began teaching in the Madison School District on March 18, 1959. On January 5, 1970, he assumed the position of acting principal at Dunbar School. Mr. Long went on to become principal of the Dunbar School in 1976 and in 1979 he took the position of principal at Blair Elementary School. Mr. Long held this position until his retirement on June 9, 2005. Mr. Long passed away on June 1, 2006.

During Mr. Long’s career at the Madison School District he could never stress enough the importance of education to all of his many students. By example, Mr. Long, along with his wife Bernadette raised two beautiful children, Alaina and Bernard, Jr. who also went on to earn higher education degrees.

In honor of the memory of Mr. Long, the Madison School District renamed Blair Accelerated Elementary School the Bernard Long Accelerated Elementary School. A Dedication Ceremony was held on September 13, 2006, to mark the occasion.

The Madison’s Dollar’s for Scholars organization would also like to honor Mr. Long by dedicating this 5K walk to his memory. Mr. Long was a friend, educator and valuable asset to the community and has been sadly missed.

Participants and Supporters of the 5K Walk held in honor of the late Bernard Long:

Earl Green Jalen Radford Charles Joiner

Zeba Smith Yolanda Lenzy Evelyn Kelly

Lynda Becker Toni Cromer Ken Miller

Eric Cromer Tina Buckingham Ruthie Conner

Dorris Johnson Judy Zeisset Denise Rhodes

Terrien Fennoy Tonya Affolter Yolanda Williams

Fred Williams Sandie Driscoll Waneta Graham

Anne Marie Foret Tracy Brown Carol Mecker

Karen Missey Brian Jenkins Sheria Jenkins

Jennifer Crowell Vincent Manuel Kathy Jenkins

Virginia Jenkins Brenda Murray Madisen Palmisano