Receiving special attention from State Representative Rhetta Andrews Bowers, three Garland ISD students and the GISD board’s most tenured trustee were recently recognized at the 2019 African American Legislative Summit.
Representative Bowers presented Trustee Linda Griffin with the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Outstanding Texan Award. Garland NAACP President Ricky McNeal and former Garland City Council member B.J. Williams also received the honor for making significant contributions to the community through their time, actions, talents and dedication.
Additionally, students Mapenzi Leon and Iman Taylor from North Garland High School, as well as D’Yonne West from Garland High School, were presented scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $4,000.
“Linda, B.J. and Ricky are three individuals who have given so much to the City of Garland over the years. It was my honor to nominate them to receive this prestigious award, and I am happy to see them get the recognition they deserve,” said Representative Bowers. “It was also great to see Mapenzi, Dyonne and Iman get rewarded for their hard work in school. They are definitely some of the best and brightest youths in our district, and I can’t wait to see everything that they accomplish in the future.”
As the first African American elected to the GISD Board of Trustees, Griffin has served since 1998. She was recognized just last month as the Texas Association of Black School Educators’ School Board Member of the Year.
Information and photo provided by Garland ISD.