Juneteenth celebrates those who are making a difference

Mackenzie Brady for the Kent County News, Jun 21, 2022

CHESTERTOWN — Those who attended Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration in Wilmer Park were met with music, magic and history.

The day started gloomy, but that did not discourage nearly 400 people from enjoying the sun, shade and songs.

The attendance was higher in previous years when Juneteenth was a “trending topic,” event organizer John Queen said in an email to the Kent County News.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.

Since then, Juneteenth has been observed on and around June 19 to celebrate African American freedom, culture and achievement.

In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

This year highlights, Queen said, included reenactor Phil Darius Wallace’s portrayal of Frederick Douglass in a performance at the Garfield Center for the Arts, the heartfelt speech Charlie Graves’ daughter gave at the historic signage unveiling marking the spot of the Uptown Club and the Frederick Douglass Award ceremony.

Wallace gave a second performance later Saturday at Wilmer Park, reciting poetry and prose written by well-known Black activists including Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. He also recited some of his original works.

At the awards ceremony, Queen presented the third Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. Shooting Star Award — given to youth who have impacted their community in a positive way — to JayShaun Freeman.

Freeman’s father Melvin and sister Lexi accepted the award on his behalf.

The inaugural Frederick Douglass Community Activism Award was presented to Devone Comegys, the Rev. Robert “Bobby” Brown, Karen Somerville and Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A).

This award is presented to an African American or Black individual or organization who contributes to the empowering of the community.

When accepting the award, Comegys said he “love(s) giving back to home and I’m going to continue to do my best.”

Comegys, who grew up in Kent County, has been an educator in the Queen Anne’s County school system for 20 years.

Brown echoed the sentiment. “Serving and loving human kind is what I was created for and enjoy doing.” he said.

Brown, who received the award on his 66th birthday, said it was “one of the best gifts I have ever received.”

Somerville quoted former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall in her acceptance speech.

“If you’re looking for something to do with your life, I say serve,” she said. “Service is it. Joy is in service, hope is in service and believe me you will find peace in service.”

In addition to the award for community activism, Sample-Hughes was presented a portrait of herself drawn by artist Marvin Starks.

She said that while she represents Dorchester and Wicomico counties, she is the only African American female representing the entire Eastern Shore and feels like Kent County is home too.

“Every time I come here I’m welcomed with open arms and I just want to let you know I’m extremely appreciative,” Sample-Hughes said in her acceptance speech.

A representative for Comptroller Peter Franchot presented Queen, co-founder and president of the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S, with a certificate of recognition for his “dedication and unwavering commitment to guide and mentor at-risk youth in Kent County.”

In his acceptance speech, Queen thanked his daughters Peyton and Aria and his wife Shamika.

“Because of their commitment to me I’m able to commit myself to my community,” he said.

In an email, Queen said the H.O.Y.A.S. already are planning next year’s events — the Frederick Douglass Day of Acknowledgement for some time in February and the Juneteenth celebration for some time in June.

Future Juneteenth celebrations will focus programming on multiple musical guests and acts to draw tourists and visitors, rather than focus on community members and organizations, Queen said, though partnerships with community organizations will continue.

Next year’s event will likely be one day in Fountain Park, he said, adding that the H.O.Y.A.S. will “continue the tradition and celebration of the Juneteenth holiday each and every year.”

This year’s Juneteenth celebration was sponsored by The Peoples Bank, Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition and Kent Cultural Alliances.

The partners were Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., Black Union of Kent County, Washington College, the Town of Chestertown and Main Street Chestertown, The Peoples Bank, Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition and Kent Cultural Alliance.

Read article here: https://bit.ly/3ojYAlI

Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. Awarded the Washington College President’s Medal

The Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. (Helping Our Youth Achieve Success) have been awarded the prestigious President’s Medal by Washington College, in recognition of the positive impact of their youth programming in Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties.

Since launching their non-profit youth program in 2013, the Bayside HOYAS have been promoting academic excellence, positive character development and civic responsibility among youth and young adults in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties, giving young students a place to drop in, socialize, plan events or seek counseling and resources.

Founded by Paul Tue, Pierre Tue and John Queen, the organization provides a wide range of programming, to include academic counseling, community service projects, youth leadership summits, outreach to families in need and athletics. Currently their biggest outreach program is connecting jobless young adults and teens with potential employers while providing mentoring and training for the interview process.

In recorded remarks released on the College’s website, Wayne Powell, Interim President of Washington College, noted the organization’s “remarkable ability to connect the people in their communities and to inspire those people to do amazing things by pulling together and sharing a vision to a better future.”

Reading from the official Citation, Powell added, “Their dedication to improving the quality of life for youth in our neighborhoods while directly embracing the academic and social success of the young people involved has clearly distinguished their service to the greater Chestertown community, in conformance with the core values of Washington College.”

“On behalf of the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., I would like to thank Washington College for recognizing our organization,” said John Queen, Founder and President. “We graciously accept the 2021 President’s Award and appreciate the College’s support.  We will continue to be a mainstay in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties – Helping Our Youth Achieve Success.”

Chris Cerino, Mayor of Chestertown, also joined the virtual presentation of the award, offering a heartfelt thank you to the organization. “Congratulations on all the great work you’ve done for the community,” said Cerino. “This is an award that’s very well-deserved and the Town of Chestertown looks forward to working with the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. for the foreseeable future.”

About the President’s Medal

The President’s Medal is presented to an individual or organization with an exemplary record of sustained and acknowledged contribution to the quality of life in Chestertown, Kent County and Washington College. Honorees demonstrate service to their fellow human beings or contributions that have a wide-ranging and positive influence upon the greater community.

The Washington College President’s Medal is awarded once a year during what is known as Birthday Convocation. Traditionally held as an in-person academic ceremony, this year’s re-imagined Birthday Convocation format extended the celebration over a full week and more broadly shared the spirit of service demonstrated by the honorees. Each day, a new award recipient has been announced and featured in a short presentation posted to a dedicated webpage and also on social media.

About Washington College

Founded in 1782, Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the nation and the first chartered under the new Republic. With an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning in the arts and sciences, and more than 40 multidisciplinary areas of study, the College is home to nationally recognized academic centers in the environment, history, and writing. Learn more at washcoll.edu. 

Bayside HOYAS host holiday food & Gift drive

CHESTERTOWN, Dec 7, 2020 — The Bayside HOYAS (Helping Our Youth Achieve Success) team stands ready Saturday afternoon at their resource center on Cross Street in Chestertown for their drive-through giveaway that included food, school supplies and toys. From left are Ambassador Melvin Freeman, Susan Smith, Vice President Marcus Goldman, Lexi Freeman, Jim Block, President John Queen, Carrie Reiling and Cathy Buchanan; on the steps are Treasurer Mika Queen, left, and Leslie Sea.

Gunston Celebrates G.A.D ’22, With Help From Over 40 Student Leaders

Gunston celebrated Global Awareness day on May 12, focusing on the theme Expanding our Perspectives and Exploring our Identities, and welcomed guest speaker John Queen.    

Global Awareness Day is an annual Gunston tradition designed to expose the community to new cultures and spark difficult or even uncomfortable conversations with the goal of expanding our understanding and perspective on global topics and issues, while also creating better global citizens. Each year, a team of students and faculty from the Student Diversity Leaders Club pick a theme to focus on and this year's theme was Expanding our Perspectives and Exploring our Identities. 

The day started with a warm welcome speech from Head of School Mr. Lewis. The speech focused on the varied political views of Gunston students, based on a survey conducted at the beginning of the year. He found that most students think climate change and the economy are serious issues and highlighted the fact that the younger voting generation is very active and this activism will enact change in our society and government. Mr. Lewis then welcomed Mr. John Queen to the podium. 

John Queen, the president and co-founder of the Bayside HOYAS, gave an interactive presentation on how and why it's important to accept and support people. He started the presentation by stating three rules: Don’t Judge, Speak your Truth, and Be Respectful. He then got student volunteers to participate in a few activities and answer randomized questions. 

“I really enjoyed the speaker. Overall, I think this school year has had some of the best speakers, between In Celebration of Books, Earth Day, and now John Queen for Global Awareness Day. Not only was his mission very inspiring, but his speaking style appealed to everyone and had all students engaged,” Ashley Escobar ’22 commented. 

Mr. Queen was definitely a fan favorite! After he finished his presentation, the students went on to their first of three activities for the day including a diverse range of workshops and conversations happening on campus.

The workshops were split into three different categories: Self- expression/Self-care, History/ Culture, and Social Justice. Self-expression/self care workshops included rock painting, pronoun discussions, pin making, and stress ball making. History and culture included Kenyan food and culture, Asian cuisine, and Ethiopian culture. Social justice included conversations surrounding world religion, gender and the ocean, and election integrity in developing countries.

 “I think we had one of the best workshop lineups this year which made for an entertaining day,” Sofia Angarita ’22 added.

The workshops were led by over 40 different students, and supervised by faculty. Student leadership is also found in the planning of the day itself. Sofia Angarita ’22, Ashley Escobar ’22, Lucy Bamford ’22, Isabella De Leon ’22, and Cy Johnson ’23 worked together to find a keynote speaker, make a schedule for the day, and decide workshops and their locations. Mrs. Coffey, Ms. Vesnaver, and Mrs. Grabis assisted the students in the organization and advertisement of the day. 

“I really enjoyed working with this group of teachers and students. Working on the frontlines with Ms. Vesnaver and Mrs. Grabis made me realize how much planning these events take and how much professionalism each of them have,” said Ashley Escobar ’22.

It is also important to note that Global Awareness Day is right after advanced placement test week and allows for students to relax between tests and the senior transition day. Overall, Global Awareness Day is vital to the community, not only to learn about new ideas, but to also allow for students' voices and cultures to be heard. 

—Kelby Booth, Gunston Class of ‘23