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T he B ridge B uilders
“The program is important because you learn from men
what it means to be a man. "
*
Age: 18
Family: Parents, Robin and Kenneth Bibles;
Sister, Danelle, 27: Brothers, Aaron, 25, and Ma
son, 17
School: Fort Valley State University
W hat I value m ost in Life:The person who has
had the most impact on my life: “M y sister,
Danelle."“There was a love between everybody.
I can honestly say I know how each one o f the
Gents thinks. It all promotes the unity within your
group that is absolutely essential”
Age: 19
Fam ily: Parents, Emma Jean Johnson and
Richard Johnson; Grandparents, Thelma Lee
Johnson and L ester Johnson; and Brother,
Dustin, 17
School: United States Army
W h a t I value m ost: “My work, because in
today’s world that’s all a person has. Secondly,
it’s being truthful and trying your best. I try my
hardest now so people can’ t say: “Y ou can’ t trust
Besh.’’the person who has had the m ost impact
on my life: Kevin Fuller
Age: 18
Fam ily: Parents, Dapo and Lisa Sobomehin;
Brothers, Oladele, 16,Olaniyi, 14,andOlaremi 10
School: Stanford University
W h a t I value m ost: “ My relationship with
God. I am able to wake up with a sense o f
purpose. I am given a sense o f hope in this cold
world. I am able to love people with the same love
Jesus Christ has loved me with.”
Age: 17
F am ily : Parents, Paul and Carlus;
Brother, Paul C oakley Jr., 22
School: Harvard University
W h a t I value m ost: “Probably God and
family would be my two most important
things. Also, wisdom. One thing I’m learn
ing is that you can learn your eye-balls out
but you have to know how to use it.”
The person who has had the most im
pact on my life: "O ne person that sticks out
is m y grandmother.”
“ The atmosphere was so positive. The
bond we have between us is strong.”
Age: 18
Fam ily: Mother, Isabelle Robertson;
Sister, Kemile Jones, 6
School: Tuskegee University
M ajo r: Business M anagement
W h a t I value m ost: “M y family. It’s
just rich and strong. I have a strong,
supportive mom."
T h e person w ho has had th e m ost
im p a c t on m y lif e : O la tu n d e
Sobomehin“Com ing together with so
many other males who were actually
trying to make something o f their lives
was good. It’s sort o f hard to find. We
had to be one group. It brought us all a
lot closer.”
Age: 19
F am ily: Mother, Gloria Jackson; Broth
ers, Curtis, 33, Frank, 29, and Freddie, 20;
Sisters, R enee’, 35, Selena, 27, Hope, 26,
Chakila, 24, and Quantina, 23
School: Oregon State University
M ajo r: Engineering
W h a t I value m ost: Family and friends
The person who has had the most impact
on my life: Leonard Lamberth, who has been
Jesse’s surrogate father o f sorts. “Ever
since my father died, h e’s been there forme.
He ’ s wanted to be there for m e. That meant
a lot to m e.”
Age: 18
F am ily: Father, Eric W. Mashia; Mother,
M ary Gill; Sisters, Erica, 21, and Britany, 3
School: University o f Portland
W h a t I value m ost: “M y family and friends
because they seem to be the people who are
always there for you.”
The person who has had the most impact on
my life: Not a person, but a program. “Self
Enhancement has been there for me on a per
sonal level and an academic level.”
“ I’ll never forget my experiences with the
club or the friends I m ade.”
Age: 18
Family: Mother, Sunkarie Yanka; Broth
ers, Karifa Koroma, 8, and Komeh Koroma,
6
School: PortlandCom m unityCollege
M a jo r: Philosophy
W h a t I value m ost: Family and friends
The person who has had the m ost im
pact on my life: “My Uncle Sheku because
he was the closest thing I had to a father.”
“Through Bridge Builders, I slowly
began to transform from the adolescent
tenn who didn’t care what people thought
about him to someone who wanted to make
a difference.”
Age: 19
F am ily: Parents, Deborah and Gary
Patterson
School Portland State University
M a jo r: com puter sciences
W h a t I value most: Knowledge and
familyThe person who has had the
most impact on my life: Mark Faust” !
think it makes you touch on your inner
m ost thoughts, your spirituality. Be
cause everyone needs to be in touch
with G od or whoever your spiritual
guide is.”
The Oshun
Placed beside the honorees. These young ladies have been specially selected to give a Song o f Praise for each o f the
honorees. They are: Kimberly Brooks for Nathan Bibles, Alisha M oreland for Brian Coakley, Tolu Sosonya for Jesse Pettis
Jackson, Humu Kim Jabbie for M oham m ed Jalloh, Cyreena Boston for Bashone Johnson, Brandy Alexander for Oman-
Johnson, Karis Stoudamire for Eric Mashia, Bahia Cross for Patrick Patterson, Shauna Dixon for D rake Shelton