Booker HS town hall to host civil rights icon Ruby Bridges
Booker High School's Visual and Performing Arts Center will host Ruby Bridges, an American history trailblazer, on Nov. 12 for a community-wide town hall designed to inspire courage, character, and civic
engagement among youth and adults.
In 1960 at age 6, Bridges became the first Black child to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Escorted by federal marshals, she walked into an all-white school despite intense opposition and became a civil rights symbol of courage and perseverance. The Ruby Bridges Foundation creates programs and experiences that help empower young people through education, dialogue and leadership.
“This vision began several years ago when my granddaughter portrayed Ruby Bridges during a program honoring historic Black trailblazers,” said Walter Gilbert, chair of the initiative. “Seeing her learn about Ruby’s extraordinary courage inspired a dream to one day bring Ms. Bridges to Sarasota.”
Booker High School was selected for the town hall because of its central role in school integration during the 1960s. Proceeds from Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative will benefit Embracing Our Differences and the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition.
“We hope this event will inspire meaningful conversations, strengthen our community, and encourage future generations to walk forward with courage, compassion, and hope,” Gilbert said.
For information about Walk Forward, including tickets and sponsorships, visit engage.embracingourdifferences.org/ruby-bridges.
A. Jean Battie scholarships set record for awards total
The A. Jean Battie Education Fund of the Light of the World International Church recently presented their annual scholarship awards totaling $55,400 – the most awarded so far.
The fund, which began as a church initiative to support its high school graduates, collaborates with other youth-related nonprofits for the awards, including Booker H.S. College for Every Student (Gianni Glover), Boys & Girls Club (Jaliyah Luther), Children’s Therapy Solutions (Jonessia Ford), Greatness Beyond Measure (Sebastian Lissage), Truly Valued (J.P. Lattimore), Safe Children’s Coalition Achievers (Jontayvia Howard), and WBTT Stage of Discovery (Alyvia Taylor).
"Shining Star" recipients – students who exemplify the best in academics, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and church involvement – were Isabella Castro-Cardona, Elina Goncalves, Jontayvia Howard, and Jaliyah Luther.
The 2026 Black History essay award winner was Elina Goncalves with Isabella Castro-Cardona and Jontayvia Howard runners-up. Light of the World scholarship winners were Kaly Castor, Sariah Davis, Rachel Edwards, Wintz Faison, Elina Goncalves, Tessa Mazon, Tacorra Morris, Elliott Parker, Jailyn Parker, Usman Phillips, Jordyn Simon, Gabriella Stafford, Talia Stilley, and Malik Taylor.
A. Jean Battie taught in the Sarasota County school district for over 30 years before retiring and was a leading force for raising Black history awareness throughout the district. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Sarasota Chorus of the Keys awards two Brown scholarships
The Sarasota Chorus of the Keys recently awarded its Sheridan E. Brown Memorial Scholarship to two high school graduates from Manatee and Sarasota counties who will pursue higher education in vocal music and the performing arts.
The 2026 scholarship recipients are Jack Christie (Lakewood Ranch High School), who will be attending Florida State University, and River Rogers (Sarasota High), who will be attending State College of Florida.
Established in the late 1970s, the scholarship program has awarded more than $78,000 to over 80 local students, helping talented young musicians continue their musical education. Scholarship awards typically range from $1,000 to $4,000 and are presented to students who demonstrate outstanding musical achievement and plan to pursue a degree that includes vocal music as part of their curriculum.
"We are honored to serve as the trustees of the Sheridan E. Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund," said George McColgan, president of the Sarasota Chorus of the Keys. "Through this scholarship, we are able to invest in talented young musicians and help ensure that the joy and tradition of vocal music continue with the next generation of performers."
Christie served as co-president of the school choir and starred as Kristoff in the school's production of "Frozen." During his senior year, he also earned top honors at the Golden Herald Awards, recognizing Manatee County's outstanding students for excellence in academics, leadership, and community involvement.
In 2026, Rogers was selected as Musical Theater Lead, served as student director, portrayed Professor Harold Hill in "The Music Man," and excelled at district Thespian festivals, achieving recognition as a Superior Thespian.
For more information, including how to join the Chorus, visit chorusofthekeys.org.
Around and about
· The Women’s Resource Center and Florida Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting "Campaign School & Community Leadership Training" on Sept. 8-9 for anyone interested in serving in an appointed position. All training will be online. Visit fipl.org/register.
· The Lake Club Women’s Charitable Foundation will host a fundraiser, Casino Royale: A License to Give, on Oct. 22 at The Lake Club Grande Clubhouse in Lakewood Ranch. For information about sponsorships or to donate an auction item or purchase tickets, visit tlcwcf.org/event/casino-royale-license-to-give or tlcwcf.org.
Submissions by Phyllis Clay, Victoria Kasdan, Laura Coyle, Su Byron, and Barbara Najmy.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges to speak at Sarasota town hall
