Congratulations to the 2021 North Star Leadership Award Winner, Jade Oshodi.

The following information includes the details of the award, her winning essay, and information about next year’s scholarship.

THE NORTH STAR LEADERSHIP AWARD

Eligibility – Grades 12; African descent; must plan to attend a four-year college or university in Fall 2021 and study science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or education;

Amount – $1000

Deadline – March 15, 2021

Essay topic: 

The United States has a 400 year history of oppression, racial tension, and unjust treatment of marginalized populations. Reminders of this history are all around us. There is even an Underground Railroad station in our own community, right across the street from Kingsway High School – at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church on Garwin Road. Describe your plan of action for an equitable and inclusive country that would rectify this problem.

Here is an excerpt and a link to  Jade’s Oshodi’s complete essay.

Disclaimer: Please note the opinions expressed within the content are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Flame staff or school.

At a young age, every child raised in America is taught to not only memorize but engrain the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem into their recollection — so much so that it becomes almost instinctual to stand up and place their left hand over their heart at the beginning of every school day or public event. ̈With liberty and justice for all ̈ and ̈O’er the land of the free ̈ are often recited. 

But how can that possibly be true when historically black or low-income neighborhoods are overpoliced compared to white neighborhoods leading to a higher arrest rate for black people? Or when a black person is denied a job they’re more than qualified for just because of their name or race? Or when a black man can’t even sell cigarettes on the street without getting tackled to the ground and strangled by law enforcement? Or when a black woman can’t even sleep in her own home without getting shot eight times?

Dealing with micro and macro aggressions on a daily basis is not only exhausting but dehumanizing. A lot of people avoid talking about racial issues because it’s ”uncomfortable”. While that may be true, the conversation is more than necessary. Because without it, how will any progress be made?…

Read the entire essay HERE.

The Scholarship providers wish Jade Congratulations as she begins this new exciting chapter!

They encourage students to apply early for next year’s scholarship:

• Remember to submit your applications for the 2022 North Star Leadership Award starting October 1, 2021. See your Kingsway Regional High School guidance counselor for details.