A staff report
Photos by: https://www.kenarmphoto.com/
The Sayaun Dent Memorial Foundation successfully held its first red carpet awards banquet, a significant event celebrating the achievements and legacy of Sayaun Dent. The banquet, held on Saturday, June 15th at the Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery in Elizabethtown, was a momentous occasion honoring outstanding individuals in the fields of academics and athletics.
Sayaun Dent, a promising young athlete and student, tragically lost his life in a car accident in Bladen County on April 8, 2023. Dent attended West Bladen High School and played basketball at Sandhills Community College, where he was inducted into the Sandhills Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. He later transferred to UNC Pembroke and was set to graduate in December of 2023. Dent’s mother, Dr. Crystal Rogers, established the foundation to continue his legacy.
The Sayaun Dent Memorial Foundation is built on three core principles: academics, athletics, and love. Dr. Rogers emphasized that her son was a leader both on and off the court, and the foundation embodies everything he stood for. The foundation also offers a student scholarship, which can be applied for through its website.
Kevin Dunham said about the event, “What an awesome event. A wonderful way to honor and remember Sayaun, to recognize athletes from our county, and coaches who have had such a huge impact over the years. Well done Sayaun Dent Memorial Foundation, Inc.”
Hall of Fame and Scholarship Award Winners
The event celebrated various award categories, including Hall of Fame inductions and sports scholarship awards. The late Coach Harold Ford and the late Coach Russell Priest were just two of the coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The 2024 Sayaun Dent Scholarship recipients were announced as follows:
– Dyiamon Robinson
– Riley McIntyre
– Shamaria Jackson
– Bryan Barnes
In addition to the scholarship recipients, several athletes were recognized in various categories:
– Best Athlete Women’s Sports
– Best Athlete Men’s Sports
– Best Breakthrough Athlete, Women’s Sports
– Best Breakthrough Athlete, Men’s Sports
– Best Game Time Performance
– Best Play
– Best Championship or Record-Breaking Performance
Female nominees included Iveonna Ward, Kierra Lewis, Heidi Rebollar, Greer Pope, Laila Smith, Jackie Medina-Leal, and Madilyn Walters.
Male nominees included Garrett Dunham, Jackson Pait, Jake Futrell, Hezekiah Adams, Jamie Delgado, Daniel Gustafson, Chase Williams, Ashton Davis, and Maison Brooks.
For Bladen County, Garrett Dunham received the ESPY Best Play of the Year Sports Award. Kiera Lewis received the 2024 Sayaun Dent ESPY Best Athlete Women’s Sports Award.
Dr. Rogers expressed her gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the event. “Together, we are making a difference and continuing Sayaun Dent’s legacy of excellence and community spirit,” she said.
The Sayaun Dent Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit and looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting students and athletes who embody the values of dedication, leadership, and love that Sayaun Dent represented.
For more information, visit: https://sayaundentmemorial.org/.
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