2 local area youth will be honored with scholarships during the 2004 African-American Awards Banquet on Sunday February 29 at Majo’s Activity Center in Linden. The Elite Lindenite Organization, INC is sponsoring the banquet.

Reggious San’Chester Bell will be presented with the Bobby Scruggs-Huggins Memorial Scholarship Award. Reggious, who is better known by family and friends as Reggie, was born to Mr. Dennis Bell and the late Mrs. Rosa Bell on June 10, 1986. He resides in Linden with his grandmother Rosa and his first cousin, Brian. Reggie’s grandmother is a charter member of the Elite Lindenite Club.

Reggie is a member if the Christian Chapel Church in Demopolis; he also attends First Baptist in Linden where his grandmother worships.

Reggie is truly an energetic icon at Demopolis High School where he has earned an overall grade point average of 3.81. Have you ever wondered about the identity of the dancing tiger at the athletic events at Demopolis High? Wonder no more-that great mascot is Reggie.

Reggie lends his talent and energy to numerous school and community activities; Anchor Club, Beta Club, Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, Alabama Boys State, School Mascot, Student Council (President), Computer Club (Treasurer), Church Choir, Church Youth Programs, School Choir (Section Leader), S.A.D.D., Drama Club, Alabama Youth Summit and Orator.

Reggie’s honors include: academic honor roll, first place-school science fair, most outstanding County Commissioner at Boy’s State, Who’s Who Among High School Students, National Honor Roll, volunteer of the week, student of the week, National Minority Leadership Award Recipient.

This astute young gentlemen is a friend to the community, his volunteerism includes: National Public Lands Day Clean Up Project, Summer School Teacher’s Assistant, 4-H Camp Counselor, Jr. Leader for U.S. Jones students attending the Alabama Environmental Camp for four years and an Elementary After School Program Assistant.

Presently Reggie works as a manager’s assistant at Braxton Senior Care. Reggie enjoys worshipping his heavenly Father and studying the Bible; he also finds interest in web-page design, basketball, tutoring in math and surfing the Internet.

Reggie will attend the UA of Huntsville and major in Computer Technology.

He was so excited about receiving this scholarship because it will help him pay for textbooks for college.

“I’m thankful for my grandmother’s support and love. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Bell said.

He is also currently involved in a speech contest that Alabama Power is sponsoring. He won third place in Tuscaloosa for his speech called “Leaders are made not born.”

He will be going to the next round of competition in Montgomery next week.

Floyd James Charleston will also be awarded the Bobby Scruggs-Huggins Memorial Scholarship Award. Charleston was born in Demopolis, Alabama to Rev. Edmond Charleston, Sr. and Mrs. Susie Henson Charleston. He has one sister and one brother.

He is an honor student at Linden High School and ranks fourth in his graduating class. He is athletically inclined and plays both football and basketball.

Charleston attends First Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Jefferson, Alabama where his father is his pastor. He is a member of Sunday school and the choir.

He best describes himself as a hard worker and as an animal lover. He enjoys working with animals, as well as, taking care of them. This aspiration has inspired him to become a veterinarian. He plans to attend Auburn University and obtain a degree in Veterinary Medicine.

“I really do appreciate the scholarship. I will help me pay for my books and other things while in college,” Charleston said.