Fourth-grader earns $20,000 scholarship to university
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 22, 2015 3:05 AM
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Phyllis Moore
Robert Yelverton, left, principal at Northeast Elementary School, recognized Anthony "A.J." Brown Jr., a fourth-grader, as recipient of a $20,000 scholarship to Appalachian State University on Friday.
A fourth-grader at Northeast Elementary School became the 23nd, and final, recipient of a $20,000 scholarship to Appalachian State University.
Anthony "A.J." Brown Jr. was honored during a ceremony at his school Friday for being the district's minority student with the highest standardized score on last year's end-of-grade math test.
Tracy Edmundson, his third-grade math teacher, called her former student a "very hard worker."
"He's just one of those children you want to have in your class," she said. "He sucks everything up like a sponge."
The scholarship was established in 1993 to recognize recipients in Wayne and Craven counties, said Carol Artis, director of elementary education for Wayne County Public Schools. An anonymous donor put up the money, as part of an effort to promote cultural diversity at ASU.
Since that time, 26 scholarships have been awarded, valued at more than $500,000. To date, 22 students from nine Wayne County schools have received scholarships, including Brogden Primary, Carver, Carver Heights, Meadow Lane, Eastern Wayne, Grantham, North Drive, Northeast and School Street elementary schools.
This is the last year the scholarship will be given, Ms. Artis said. She later said that no reason had been given for it being discontinued.
Sen. Louis Pate recalled the year the first scholarship was awarded. He was mayor of Mount Olive at the time, he said.
"I remember how excited we were," he said of his hometown. "The youth has gone on and done great things, and all of these kids, that they have been given these scholarships. It's wonderful.
"I'm sorry it's coming to an end, but I think we have had a good run, 20-some years."
Prior to the official presentation, Jean Milleson, music teacher, led A.J. and his classmates in performing two songs -- "Our School, It Runs Like Clockwork" and "D-I-V-I-D-E," a math take-off of the popular Aretha Franklin song, "RESPECT," rewritten by fourth-grade teacher Holly Medlin.
Principal Robert Yelverton recognized family members in attendance, including dad, Staff Sergeant Willie Brown and his wife, Whitnie, a pre-K teacher at Northeast, and A.J.'s younger sister, Nyobie, a second-grader at the school; A.J.'s mom, Marvena Muldrow, and his brother, Anthony Muldrow, 11, both from Chapel Hill.
The principal asked if any of them would like to make comments. Only Nyobie's hand shot up.
A.J. was then gifted with an ASU hat and other memorabilia.
When Dr. Michael Dunsmore, WCPS superintendent, took to the podium, he likened it to "draft day," when outstanding athletes are presented with jerseys and other perks as well as attention.
Then he circled back to Nyobie, acknowledging she had appeared interested in speaking for the family.
"What do you want to say?" he asked.
With that, the 7-year-old stood and faced the audience.
"I just want to say that I'm very proud of my brother for winning this scholarship," she said. "He tried so hard. I'm so proud of you, A.J. Brown."
Her brother, 10, admitted afterward that he had been "kind of scared" and nervous about the proceedings.
The end-of-grade test, however, was another matter.
"It was easy," he said. "But it took a really long time to check it because I took so long. I had to use the extra time."
Upon learning he had received the scholarship, he said his first thought was, "I did better than I knew I could on the test."
He said he hadn't given much thought to college, but does have a few career aspirations in mind -- "mathematician, football player or basketball player," he said.
"A.J., I think you'd do a great job on all of them," Nyobie said.
And what was his parents' initial reaction to the news?
"'At least we don't have to pay that much money (for college),'" A.J. said, quoting them.
Their relief was only eclipsed by a large dose of pride.
"It was a shock to me at first when they first told me about it, just to know the history of it," Willie Brown said. "Ironically, the first person to receive it was from a military background and the last person is, also."
Mrs. Brown said she was also excited about the opportunities A.J. now has.
"I was saying he was so nervous, he almost cried," Willie Brown said. "I told him, as you progress and get older, you've got to get used to it, because as you get bigger, the spotlight is going to be on you. Stay humble."