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Scholarship to honor Embry-Riddle track star

DAYTONA TIMES — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Allegiant Travel Company have announced the Howard Walls, Jr. Track and Field Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, commemorating the achievements, aviation career and legacy of the Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Famer and All-American track star has been endowed via a unique funding partnership between Walls’ teammates, family and colleagues, as well as a corporate contribution from Allegiant in support of future aviation professionals.

Published

5 years ago

September 16, 2019

Oakland Post

Howard Walls Jr. (Center), an Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Famer, died last year. (Photo by: daytonatimes.com)

By The Daytona Times

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Allegiant Travel Company have announced the Howard Walls, Jr. Track and Field Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship, commemorating the achievements, aviation career and legacy of the Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Famer and All-American track star has been endowed via a unique funding partnership between Walls’ teammates, family and colleagues, as well as a corporate contribution from Allegiant in support of future aviation professionals.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to an outstanding track athlete whose goal is to pursue a career in the aviation industry.

National honors

Walls competed for Embry-Riddle’s track and field team from 2005 – 2010 and was inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame on Jan. 19, 2019.

Howard Walls, Jr.

In his freshman campaign, he became the first Embry-Riddle Men’s Track and Field student-athlete to earn All-America honors with his fifth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles at the NAIA Indoor National Championships.

He repeated as an All-American in that event in 2008 and 2009, setting the Embry-Riddle record of 8.08 in a third-place finish in his senior year.

Walls also achieved All-America status in the 110m hurdles after finishing fifth at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships in 2010. He set a school record in the 110-meter hurdles of 14.11 in 2008 and that mark still stands as an Embry-Riddle best.

Died last year

His studies at Embry-Riddle also brought about a successful career in the aviation industry, where he rose to become Allegiant’s director of quality, compliance and safety for station operations.

His life was tragically cut short by a motorcycle accident in 2018.

The idea of celebrating Walls’ achievements and legacy through a scholarship started with his former teammates at Embry-Riddle, including Chris Harter, who spearheaded an initial crowdfunding campaign which started in April.

A modest initial goal of $3,000 was met within 48 hours of the campaign launch, and quickly spread to friends, family and professional colleagues at Allegiant.

“Howard was somebody everybody liked, but not because he was a great athlete, but because he was a great person,” Harter said.

“He motivated and encouraged every teammate he was around and every athlete he coached. Former teammates and I feel that Howard’s name is one the track program should hear on a daily basis because he possessed the qualities of an All-American on and off the track.”

Allegiant’s contribution

Through the company’s corporate giving priority of supporting STEM education and access to careers in aviation, Allegiant contributed $10,000 to the growing fund, helping to fully endow this special scholarsh.

“We were incredibly moved by the university’s campaign to establish a scholarship in Howard’s name, and we are thrilled to be able to help ensure that his memory and achievements inspire and help others realize their own dreams of careers in aviation,” said Hilarie Grey, Allegiant’s managing director of corporate communications.

With Allegiant’s support, the campaign to date has created both a term scholarship and an endowed memorial scholarship in Walls’ honor with donations totaling over $28,000.

“We have been blown away by the outpouring of support from Howard’s teammates, friends, coworkers, and family since this campaign started,” said Matt Wilson, senior director of development for Embry-Riddle Athletics.

“This campaign is a small representation of the impact Howard had on so many people throughout his life. The endowed memorial scholarship will help ensure Howard’s legacy lives on in the future generations of Embry-Riddle Track & Field student-athletes and our Athletics program.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student-athlete must be a full-time graduate or undergraduate student at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus with a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA pursuing a career in aviation, and be a current member of the Embry-Riddle men’s or women’s track and field team.

University involvement

After exhausting his eligibility at Embry-Riddle, Walls remained involved with the university’s Track & Field program as a graduate assistant coach, working primarily with the hurdlers.

He helped Breanna Goring, Alex Dori and Crystal Bardge hit national championship qualifying marks, and played a role in Bardge winning national titles in both the indoor 60-meter hurdles and the 100-meter outdoor hurdles.

Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Walls earned his undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Science in 2010 and completed his master’s degree in Aviation in 2012. An announcement regarding the first recipient of the new scholarship is expected later this fall.

This article originally appeared in the Daytona Times.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

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BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org