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Regina Boone
Development and Public Relations
919-546-8269
For Immediate Release

Shaw University Honors Program Makes Impressive Showing at Annual Competition
(Raleigh, NC) – December 17, 2003 – Shaw University’s Honors Program traveled to Orlando, FL recently to participate in the 12^th Annual National Association of African-American Honors Programs (NAAAHP). Members of Shaw University’s Honors Program took part in a Debate, Quiz Bowl, and the United Nations Model Assembly competition. This year’s theme was The Power of African-American Honors: Positioning for Greater Possibilities. In the Quiz Bowl competition, 12 schools competed.  Shaw placed 3rd in this competition behind the 1st place team from Central State University and the 2nd place team from South Carolina State University.  Shaw’s team was composed of James Bailey, Jr., (Captain), of Savannah, GA., Donald Mitchell, Jr., of Portsmouth, VA, Oyindamola Oki of Nigeria, W. Africa, Maurice Preston of Lorton, VA, and Dexter Jason of Houston, TX.  The top eight high scoring players were recognized from the competition.  Out of the sixty students that composed the teams, Bailey was the second highest scoring player, averaging 2.9 points per question.

Director of Shaw University’s Honors Program, Dr. Kimberly Whitehead of Smithfield, VA, was presented with the Vice President’s Gavel Award and named the 2003-2004 President of the NAAAHP at the annual meeting.  Dr. Whitehead expressed her delight with the growth of Shaw’s Honors Program. “I am especially elated with the progress and performance of our students at the conference.  The Honors Program has made great "Strides to Excellence" since its implementation in the Fall of 2001.  For the past two years that we have attended the NAAAHP conference, we have set the mark for excellence in the competitive events and in the director and faculty presentations. As I take the leadership helm of NAAAHP for the 2003-2004 term, I look forward to working with our students as we build a legacy of excellence,” said Dr. Whitehead.

In the Model UN competition, Shaw University students performed well. Michele Johnson of Jamaica led the delegation for the Shaw University team.  The team members were Kim Pasamonte of Chesapeake, VA, Amienatta N'Dure of Gambia, W. Africa, Arlethia Brown of Savannah, GA, and Ayanna Franklin of Durham, NC.  Fifteen schools competed in the competition.  The Shaw team represented the country of Zimbabwe, and although they did not receive any awards, their performance was admirable as this marked the first year of competition for Shaw’s Honors Program Model UN team. 

This year marks the first year that the NAAAHP has presented three student awards.  The three awards were the Student Research/Creative Expression Award, Mr. NAAAHP and Miss NAAAHP.  Shaw University made history on November 15, 2003 by becoming the first recipient for two of those awards.  Charles C. Allen received the Student Creative Expression Award for his description of his creative work "A Scholar's Silhouette."   Maurice Preston received the Mr. NAAAHP Award and will serve as a recruitment ambassador for NAAAHP for the 2003-2004 term.  Both student winners were chosen through a rigorous selection process which required competitors to submit resumes, letters describing their work or platform, a nomination letter from the director, recommendation letters from faculty and student members and a professional photograph. 

The NAAHP 2003 Conference provided opportunity for intellectual exchange of how African-American honors students and faculty scholars are developing concepts for teaching, learning, and community service that place them closer to achieving a better world.