Dear Friends and Supporters,
We are thrilled to announce that the Inaugural Sayaun Dent Scholarship & Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards event was a resounding success, with a SOLD OUT crowd! Bladen County boasts a wealth of athletic and coaching talent, both past and present. The opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in academics and athletics is both well-deserved and long overdue.
Hall of Fame Inductees
A sincere thank you to a group of phenomenal legends. We are deeply honored to have recognized our 2024 Distinguished Hall of Famers: Mr. Samuel Boger, Mr. Lenon Fisher, Mr. Harold Ford (Posthumously), and Mr. Russel Priest (Posthumously). Their impact on many still echoes loudly and speaks volumes of their character.
Scholarship Award Recipients
We proudly awarded scholarships to:
Dyiamon Robinson (S.M.I.L.E Award)
Shamaria Jackson, Bryan Barnes, and Riley McIntyre (Above the Rim Award)
May they continue their endeavors with courage and grace.
ESPY Award Winners
All of the ESPY Award Winners set the bar high, and we were proud to celebrate their achievements:
Greer Pope, WB (Best Breakthrough Athlete, Women’s Sport)
Jamie Delgado, EB (Best Breakthrough Athlete, Men’s Sport)
Garret Dunham, WB (Best Play)
Jackson Pait and Chase Williams, WB (Best Game-Time Performance)
Masion Brooks, EB (Best Record-Breaking Performance)
Kiera Lewis, WB (Best Athlete, Women’s Sports)
Hezekiah Adams, WB (Best Athlete, Men’s Sports)
Patty Evers, EB (Coach of the Year)
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to our performers Alyssa Bell, Maddison, and Samuel Cain, who added a wonderful touch to the evening, as well as our category presenters who served as role models:
Gabe Barber
Mallory Davis
Tyrell Godwin
Eian Hines
Ethan Hines
Tripp Lancaster
Maya McDonald
Tracy Miller
Farrell Murchison
Larrell Murchison
Rahu Purdie
Larry Neal
Mark Oates
Nathan Priest
Lacey Suggs
We extend our deepest gratitude to the VIP Table attendees: Carolyn Donaldson, Dr. Pearly Graham Hoskins, Dr. Jessica McDowell, Larrell Murchison (Special Guest and NFL player for the Los Angeles Rams), Charlotte, and Daine Smith (and Guests). Your support was essential to the success of our event.Acknowledgments
We are profoundly grateful to Gilbert Abraham (Director of Player Development, Portland Trail Blazers), Richard Howell (Strength and Conditioning Coach, Indianapolis Colts), and Tyrell Godwin (Former Major League Baseball Player, Washington Nationals) for providing extraordinary motivational comments.
Special thanks to the supporting cast for bringing our vision into reality and for their invaluable contributions. Thank you to all the staff and vendors who worked diligently:
Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery
Devine Diva Desserts and Designs
Gary Goodman
Ice Man Ski
JNicole Photography and Media Content
Kenarmphoto
Lavish Impressions
McKenzie Buses
Outburst Creation
Real Men Bake Photography
Whimsical Florist
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to BladenOnline for being one of the first to donate to the foundation, even before we publicized our campaign. Bladen Online’s initiatives and ongoing support in sharing our events and messages with the public are truly invaluable. Thank you for always being there for us!We are forever thankful for our remarkable sponsors. Our event would not have been as envisioned without the generous support of:
The Man Cave
Testosterone & Wellness, PLLC
Walane Gas Company
Special mention to our Billboard Sponsors:
San Jose Mexican Restaurant
Allen Orthopedic
Finally, we want to thank the entire community for their unwavering support. Your enthusiasm and involvement are what made this event truly special. Stay tuned for the “SAVE THE DATE” for next year. We pray you will continue on this journey with us and that many of you will consider being future sponsors or donors.With Gratitude,
The Entire Board
Sayaun Dent Memorial Foundation, Inc.
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