Compton High School Alumni Newsletter, 2006 -14
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Hello, Everyone! I hope all is well with you and yours!!!
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- Darrell Williams ('84), Motivational Youth Speaker) and Workshop Facilitator and Speaking Topics
- Veronica Williams ('84), Women's Ministry Workshop Facilitator and Speaking Topics
- LaVerna Graves-McMiller ('70) Honored for Excellence in Nursing Management
- Attention All Cal State Dominguez University Graduates!
- Reminder: Free Writing Workshop by Pamela Samuels-Young ('76) on Sunday, October 8th
- Venita Washington ('73) Birthday Party, Friday, October 13th
- Derrick Kellum ('79) Killed on Compton Street
- Funeral Service for James Anderson ('68/'69) on Friday, October 13th
- Class of 1976 30-Year Reunion, October 28th
- Wanted! Webmaster/Webmistress to Develop Alumni Association Website
- Save the Dates!! Friday, November 3rd - Homecoming Game; Monday, November 20th - Bi-Monthly Alumni Luncheon
- Motivational Speaker Jewel Diamond (Lewis) Taylor ('68) Schedule
1. Motivational Speaker Darrell Williams ('84) The following information is taken from www.allianceministriesmd.com.
Darrell Williams is the co-founder of Alliance Ministries, an organization designed to equip today's leaders for tomorrow's challenges. Darrell is also the Youth Minister at First Christian Community Church. Annapolis, Maryland. He's known for exposing youth and parents to the hottest Christian Rap and Contemporary music as an alternative to music with explicit lyrics. On top of that, he served both God and Country in the United States Army for 20 years. He was assigned to the White House Communications Agency where he served as an Operations Coordinator supporting Presidents Bush and Clinton and as a Communications Officer for Vice Presidents Gore and Cheney.
Darrell excels as a gifted communicator and has a heart for today’s youth. He is also a contributing writer for Interlinc's music based life studies. He is the co-founder and network coordinator for the Alliance Youth Network, which consists of over 200 youth leaders dedicated to reaching teenagers influenced by Hip-Hop Culture.
For more information on Darrell Williams' schedule and motivational youth articles, and speaking topics, check out his website: www.allianceseminarsmd.com, www.allianceministriesmd.com, and www.nnym.net/sites/fccyouth/The%20Hot%20Topics.
Check out the latest monthly Youth Article from Darrell for the 5th District (West Coast) AME Herald on-line newsletter. http://www.ameherald.com/page6.html . If you are looking for someone to encourage your youth with a word or equip your youth workers through a workshop, contact Darrell for your next event.
ALLIANCE MINISTRIES 1800 Apostle Johnson Way, Annapolis, MD 21401(800) 347-9161, 95, Raiderla@hotmail.com******************************
2. Veronica Williams ('84), Women's Ministry Workshop Facilitator and Speaking Topics
Veronica E. Williams is also a co-founder of Alliance Ministries, and she is the wife of Minister Darrell Williams. They have been enjoying their "holy hook-up" for over eight years and are the proud parents of Joshua Caleb Williams. Together they form a dynamic, anointed team and currently reside in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Following graduation from Compton High in 1984, she attended the University of California Berkley and the University of Phoenix where she received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. She is currently working at the Hearing and Speech Agency in Baltimore, Maryland.
Veronica was called by God to go to other churches and equip women through discipleship training. Her purpose is to encourage women by providing instruction to change their lives from within. Her first exposure to Women's ministry began at Double Rock as a speaker for Women's Day events. She has participated in numerous Women's bible studies, attended various Women's ministry conferences, and helped plan Women's Day Programs and Celebrations.
For more information on Veronica Morrow Williams' ministry and workshop topics, check out her website: http://www.alllianceministriesmd.com******************************
3. LaVerna Graves-McMiller ('70) Honored for Excellence in Nursing Management
Information provided by Sharon Yarbrough-Whitehead ('69) and from http://www2.nurseweek.com/Articles/article.cfm?AID=23765
MANAGEMENT
LaVerna McMiller, RN
LaVerna McMiller, RN, BSN, manages one of the most challenging patient care units in the state, the sub-acute care center at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, where people are sent from throughout the state with gunshot wounds, terminal cancer, and other life-threatening conditions. An active member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, McMiller keeps abreast of clinical and ethical issues and urges nurses to never give up on a patient. She has a motto: “Miracles do happen,” one example being the recovery of a patient who was in a persistent coma for three years, came out of it, and improved enough to go home in a wheelchair.
McMiller sees herself as mentor, motivator, and educator for a staff of about 200 nurses chosen for their abilities to care for patients who are predominantly long-term ventilator, trach dependent, or in a vegetative state. While the work is difficult, it’s also rewarding, she says. “It takes a special nurse to deal with the population,” says McMiller, who started her career as a rehab nurse in 1974 at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, and the Harbor/UCLA Neurological Unit.”
She has also inspired many CNA/LVN staff to return to school and become registered nurses and supports experienced staffers seeking educational advancement. McMiller has set an example by enrolling at California State University, Los Angeles, where she is completing a master’s in nursing leadership. McMiller says she’s dedicated to instilling standards of excellence in the complex world of post-acute care nursing and to providing the care possible. “I’ve always liked working with difficult patients who have the greatest potential of getting better. I don’t give up on them.”
******************************4. Attention All Cal State Dominguez University Graduates!
From Marv Brown ('75)
“My University, My Life” Speakers Wanted
CSU Dominguez Hills is embarking on a new program to make local high school and community college transfer students more aware of the university that’s on their doorstep. Under the “My University, My Life” theme, the program is looking for alumni to bring this message directly to high school students. If you have successfully entered a career after graduating from Dominguez Hills and would be willing to share your experience to inspire high school students to pursue a college education, please participate.
Too many high school students think a college education is beyond their reach. Having a real example of someone who has moved on from their own high school to do great things at Dominguez Hills and beyond would help these students recognize that a college education at CSUDH is a viable option for their future. Participating alumni will return to their own high school to talk about their time at the local high school, aspirations upon entering CSUDH, experiences while attending CSUDH, and career and contribution to society as a graduate.
CSUDH Outreach staff will join participating alumni during the school visits. Alumni willing to participate in the program are asked to email the Office of Alumni Relations at alumnirelations@csudh.edu with the following information by Oct. 13: high school attended; CSUDH degree program; career after Dominguez Hills; and a few words about themselves and their achievements.
******************************5. Reminder: Free Writing Workshop by Pamela Samuels-Young ('76) on Sunday, October 8th
Pamela Samuels-Young will be conducting a free workshop on Sunday October 8th entitled "Writing a Novel Despite Your Day Job" at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park . The time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Following the workshop, Pamela will be signing her debut novel, Every Reasonable Doubt. The workshop is free, but parking is $6.
******************************6. Venita Washington ('73) Birthday Party, Friday, October 13th
Venita will be celebrating her birthday on October 13th! You are invited to her birthday party at her home located at 15316 So. Lime Avenue, Compton, CA 90221. Phone: Home: 310-763-1727; Cell: (310) 422-3722. Call Venita if you need more information.
******************************7. Derrick Kellum ('79) and Son Killed on Compton Street
From Yolanda Scott-Allen ('79)
This tragic story was about one our very own. His name was Derrick Kellum and he graduated in the class of 1979. He went to Longfellow, Walton and Compton.
This story has been on the news for several days, so I'm sure many people are familiar with this tragic event.
This story was sent to you by: Yogi Scott--------------------
KNBC-TV [website]
2:09 p.m. PDT October 3, 2006
Man, Child Shot and Killed in Compton
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COMPTON, October 3, 2006 - Homicide detectives searched Tuesday for the gunman who killed a man and his 11-year-old son in Compton - the second and third homicides in the city in two days, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at Slater Avenue and 134th Street at 10:30 p.m. Monday, said Sgt. Eric Castano of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Compton Station. Derrick Andrew Kellum, 46, died at the scene, said Fred Corral of the coroner's office. The name of the boy, who died at a hospital, was being withheld, pending positive identification, Corral said.
The pair were in the front seats of a parked car, and Kellum's 9-year-old son was in the back seat, when the crime occurred, the sheriff's department reported. The surviving son, who was not wounded, was able to escape and ran to safety. His name was not released.
"An unknown suspect approached the vehicle, produced a handgun and began shooting into the vehicle," said Deputy Bill Spear of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.
The victims lived in a different Compton neighborhood, and investigators were trying to determine why they were at the site where they were shot, sheriff's Lt. Joe Hartshorne said.
The shooter was seen leaving in a black sport utility vehicle, Castano said.
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kellum family. I have no information about funeral services at this time. -- Deborah
******************************8. Funeral Service for James Anderson ('68/'69) on Friday, October 13th
From Fred King ('70)
Funeral services for James Anderson will be held on Friday, October 13th, 11:00 a.m. at Rose Hills in Whittier. For more information, contact Fred King at fred1952@earthlink.net.
******************************9. Class of 1976 30-Year Reunion, October 28th
The Class of '76 30-Year Reunion will be held on October 28th at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport. The price per person is $83. For more information, go to the www.greatreunions.com.
******************************10. Wanted! Webmaster/Webmistress to Develop Compton High Alumni Association Website
The Communications Action Team of the Alumni Task Force is seeking the services of a webmaster (or webmistress) to assist with developing the website for the Compton High School Alumni Association. If any of you have experience developing websites or if you can recommend someone, please contact Louis Johnson ('74) at ljohnson8534@yahoo.com, and cc: Deborah Spottsville ('73) at dspottsville@yahoo.com. Other Communication team members are Omari Bakari (Greg Butler) ('73), nubian_emperor1@yahoo.com; Rory Bass ('74), rorybass@efficientmedical.net, and Michelle Smith-Ballard ('75), mballard@aegworldwide.com.
******************************11. Save the Dates!! Friday, November 3rd - Homecoming Game; Monday, November 20th - Bi-Monthly Alumni Luncheon
Homecoming Day: Friday, November 3rd. Homecoming Game will be played against Lakewood High.
Bi-Monthly Luncheon: Monday, November 20th at Keno's Restaurant in Anaheim. Jim Brown ('48) is the luncheon coordinator. More information will follow in future newsletters.
******************************12. Motivational Speaker Jewel Diamond (Lewis) Taylor ('68) Schedule
For more information on Jewel's schedule and motivational articles, check out her website, www.DoNotGiveUp.net.
*October 11, 2006: Torrance, CA Panelist for Dialogue N Motion: Relationships - El Camino College. 4 PM
*October 14, 2006 (AM) San Diego, CA Leadership Training Session - Home and Gardens Party Business
*October 14, 2006 (PM) Los Angeles, CA Thompson Memorial Full Gospel Church Awards Dinner Keynote
*October 17,18,19 MD/Wash DC area Washington Navy Yard, Naval Research Laboratory and Anacostia Annex
*October 22, 2006 Los Angeles, CA We See You Awards Dinner (Honorees - Jewel Diamond Taylor, Iyanla Vanzant, Marcia Dyson, Sandra Crouch, Eartha Robinson, Rosie Milligan) Skirball Cultural Center, for tickets info@BarbaraPerkins.net
*October 27-28, 2006 Oakland, CA Women on the Grow Conference
That's all for now, folks! Keep sending me the information about our alumni -- I'll put it out there. Please note: When requesting that someone be added to the my distribution list, please include the person's first and last name (including the name used in high school), and the person's graduating class.
Much love to you all! Take care!
Deborah Spottsville, '73