Local NAACP introduces new achievement award
The Joshua Halstead Award is a new achievement award that will be presented by the Middlesex NAACP to the most improved student at St. Clare Walker Middle School. The improvement period spans grades 6-8.
The student will receive the Joshua Halstead plaque plus a gift card to help purchase school supplies for his or her freshman year at Middlesex High School. This award has been approved by the Middlesex County School Board.
Joshua Halstead was a 2007 honor graduate of Middlesex High School who was scheduled to attend Old Dominion University in January 2008. However on November 2, 2007 he was killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from the Urbanna Oyster Festival.
Joshua had positive impact on many at Middlesex High School. Rev. George Morris, who was his mentor and also gave his eulogy, reflected that Joshua would want to be remembered as someone who worked hard to reach his goals, which was important to him. “Let your light shine” was Joshua’s motto.
“The NAACP recognizes that there are some students who may struggle with their grades in the beginning but keep working hard to improve,” said a local NAACP spokesperson. “They may not end up with a 4.0 GPA, but they should be acknowledged for their effort and improvement and continue to achieve their goals.”
Donna Dunlevy (Joshua’s mother), Rev. George Morris, and Mark Lomax (Middlesex NAACP president) will take part in the award ceremony.
