ATLANTA, Georgia – March 12, 2013 – The Colored Rocks Prize will be presented to its 2013 class of Honorees on Sunday, March 17. The awards ceremony will take place at 1:30pm at the Atlanta History Center in McElreath Hall. Former Mayor of Atlanta, Bill Campbell will address the Honorees and their guests.The Colored Rocks Prize, which shines a spotlight on some of Georgia’s top male high school students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, will be awarded to 16 Honorees. This is the second year of the annual award given to students who have committed to helping develop their peers who are at risk for failure. “Colored Rocks”, as they are called, serve as role models and mentors to help increase Georgia’s failing high school graduation rates, especially among male students of color.Cheryl Dukes, Director of the Colored Rocks Foundation, the nonprofit that administers the Colored Rocks Prize, couldn’t be more proud of the quality of young men the Colored Rocks Prize is uncovering. “Meeting these talented young men is both inspiring and humbling”, stated Dukes. “We often hear about the ‘bad’ that comes from this demographic, but we don’t hear often enough about the ‘good’ they do. They are one of our most valuable resources and they are as good a success story as you’re going to find anywhere in the country.”Continued Dukes, “When we look at teen pregnancy, record numbers of young men going to prison and increasing numbers of youngsters without positive, constructive activity, almost always we can point these problems to young people who lack – at a minimum – a high school diploma. We need to get more of them across the finish line. All of the Colored Rocks Finalists have made commendable commitments to ensure the success of their peers. We are working to find more resources, so we can award more prizes to get more students working to help reverse Georgia’s failing high school graduation rates.”The top monetary award that accompanies the Colored Rocks Prize is $3500.The awards ceremony is able to accommodate family and friends of honorees, invited guests and members of the media. Rolando Zenteno, the top Colored Rocks Prize winner from 2012 who has become a leading voice for undocumented students, is also expected to attend the awards ceremony. The ceremony is not open to the general public.The 2013 finalists are a diverse group from Atlanta, College Park, Covington, East Point, Fayetteville, Griffin, Hinesville, Lincolnton, Statesboro, Suwanee and Thomson. They represent the best examples of graduating high school students Georgia has to offer. The 2013 Colored Rocks Prize Finalists are:Rashaud Archie, Statesboro High School, Statesboro – “Best All-Around Student” ministers fellow students about the benefits of prayerGregory Barber, Banneker High School, College Park – Senior Class President and aspiring doctor hopes to eradicate diseases that target the ethnic communityJoseph Cobb, Lincoln County High School, Lincolnton – “Student Tutor of the Year” invented a Board Game which compares economic supply and demandJaCorvis Cobbs, Thomson High School, Thomson – Creative Writer, appeared on nationally syndicated radio to discuss his writing which includes short stories, narratives, plays, poems and songsRashad Goodson, Carver Early College, Atlanta – Prospective doctor who hopes to treat cancer is counseling students against bullyingAlex Grady, Newton High School, Covington – Accomplished science fair winner developed fun techniques that teach math to elementary school kidsAustin Green, North Spring High School, Sandy Springs – Logged more than 200 hours of community service and is encouraging male students to perform poetry to make roses from the concrete in their lives.Joseph Hooper, Fayette County High School, Fayetteville – Cinematographer created inspirational documentary about male students of color who have struggled and overcome obstaclesKalif Jones, Westlake High School, East Point – Golf Team Captain working to put gang members on the right path teaches middle school males how appearance and etiquette will help them succeedTony Jones, North Gwinnet High School, Suwanee – Sunday School Teacher and hopeful Biomedical Research Scientist teaching freshmen good study habitsIsaiah Matthews, Woodward Academy, College Park – Student Government Association President establishing a formal support network for students entering college Jed Paz, Griffin High School, Griffin – Award-Winning Scientist raising money to provide band instruments to motivate students through music to stay in school Donnie Pulliam, Liberty County High School, Hinesville – Voted “Most Likely To Succeed”, is building self-esteem, confidence and specific goals in 20 male students through his mentoring programKennington Smith, Whitewater High School, Fayetteville – Budding Sports Broadcast Journalist is teaching male students how to improve their writing skills Shaun Verma, Milton High School, Alpharetta – Ben Carson Legacy Award Winner founded MDJunior (mdjr.org) to match prospective teen doctors from underserved communities with practicing physiciansBrock Washington, North Atlanta High School, Atlanta – Soccer Team Captain mentoring 10 fellow students to prepare them for college. # # # # About the Colored Rocks Prize The Colored Rocks Foundation established the Colored Rocks Prize in 2011 after learning that almost one out of three young men of color do not graduate from Georgia high schools. In fact, Georgia suffers as one of 5 states with the worst high school graduation rates in the country. The Prize competition was designed to encourage and celebrate distinguished young men of color who graduate from high school and use their chosen discipline to return a significant contribution to their community. The Foundation’s intent is to help increase the numbers of male African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Latino Americans and Multi-Racial Americans completing high school and using their talent to make a positive impact in their communities. The foundation expects to expand the awards beyond Georgia as the foundation grows. ***************************************************************************
Contact: Colored Rocks Foundation, Inc. - Ms. Cheryl Dukes, Executive Director 404-57-ROCKS (76257) / Fax: 678-935-4490 / Email: info@coloredrocks.org / Website: coloredrocks.org