Motivational Monday: Claudie Royals & Community

S is for …

Soul food * Speeches * Shoutouts 

Abilene Reporter-News: Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 (bottom of the cover)

at Claudie C. Royals‘ 70th Birthday Banquet

Abilene Reporter-News: Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 (page 4A)

 Before I covered this annual event during Black History Month again this year, I already felt the hype as I wrote the advance.

Fellow Cooper alum Dominic Rhodes & Matthias Royals, Class of 1997, part of the 1996 Cougars football team who went all the way to state until defeat against Austin Westlake

My good buddy, Big Matt, the youngest son of the late and great Royals, coordinated the function that featured his former football teammate and Super Bowl XLI champion Dominic Rhodes

*Starstruck*: Papa Jun has always been impressed by Dominic, both on and off the field as a community ambassador

(who pointed out how he switched from Lincoln to Clack ~ our junior high ~ upon redistricting to face Matthias as an opponent running back at Jefferson in the 8th grade).

Cougar Pride: We represent Cooper and are of Cougar age now! My mom had to steal a shot ~ which is why the men are looking in her direction ~ while my dad took this!

Along with Rhodes’ speech,

Dominic Rhodes made remarks about Matthias being a community leader who follows in Claudie‘s footsteps

the key note address by the Rev. Felicia Hopkins (who also served as an Army Chaplain, including during Operation Iraqui Freedom and had ministered to wounded warriors at my birth hospital in Landstuhl, Germany) of St. Paul UMC ~ just down the street from Big Matt’s and my alma mater, McM ~ was inspirational,

“Glorify †GOD†!” ~ Rev. Felicia Hopkins, St. Paul UMC senior pastor, as 2015 keynote speaker

as well as seeing community leaders and youth who were recognized.

“We feel like we’re being treated like royalty, as friends turn into family… Let it spread like wildfire.” ~ Michael T. Royals, eldest son

Random: I also ran into my elementary school ♫music♪ teacher, Mrs. Petty!

One of my childhood inspirations: Susan Petty, my ♪music♫ teacher at Austin Elementary