-6 min 47 second read.
Last Friday, I was to present the Kinsey Black Jones Award at Hammond School. My oldest daughter asked if she could attend, as she has sat or stood beside me, depending on who’s presenting.
For context, this is an annual award that is given to the most deserving graduating senior that would like to become a teacher. Over the years, this “scholarship” has become an endowment which Hammond suggested we create, which was funded by Jim & Theresa Black, Jeffrey & Stephanie Black, Jim (Papa) Black, and Jennifer and me.
This year, as we were standing in the hall waiting for to event to begin, Finley looked up at me and said, “You know I wrote a speech in case you ever make me do it.” I said, “I’d never make you do it. You know that, right?” She went on, “I know. I’m just letting you know that I wrote a speech.” We stood there a few seconds, “My teacher (or guidance counselor…I can’t remember which she said) said it was really good.” We stood there a few more seconds and I said, “Can I see it?” Finley handed me her phone, and what I was really doing was checking how long it may be, as I didn’t want to insult our hosts.
After a minute or so of pondering I made a decision and approached Mrs. Carolyn Stoddard, who along with Mahalie Moore seemed to be in charge of where I’m supposed to be. Sight unseen, she gave me permission to let Finley fly with what she prepared.
Finley has been thinking about this for years. Many times, as Kinsey’s name is brought up around Finley’s friends, they often ask her questions, and she covered it in her talk at Hammond.
Finley has been attending this ceremony for years now, and she sees it as a story-telling opportunity, and it is a stage with a microphone, and today, the kids she’s known all of her life are now Juniors and Seniors, sitting amongst their parents. She saw this as a time and a place to tell some of the story through her lens. That said, I made the decision to let it be this year as she only has one more year before she graduates, and who knows where her journey will take her.
Whether you read her speech or see the video on Facebook, I need to do what we’re really there to do. CONGRATULATIONS TO PIPER CARTER & MAHALIE MOORE for being recognized as the recipients of the Kinsey Black Jones Memorial Scholarship. I don’t know Piper, but I’ve heard around town how awesome she is! On the flip side, I’ve known Mahalie since she was born, and am big fans and friends of her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Little does Mahalie know that their Great-Great Grandfathers were brothers – Dexter & Clarence Brown of Anderson, SC, making Mahalie & Finley cousins. 🙂
All that said, here’s what she wrote. As you can see, it was typed on her phone which means almost zero structure or punctuation, and while that would make older generations cringe, this is how it rolls these days…
“i obviously never got to meet kinsey, but i am up here today because of the impact she left on my dad. through the things ive heard from a variety of people, kinsey was such a kind person; those actions reflected on my dad; and im sure some of you have seen him waving at people who are not even looking; because i see him wave at basically air all the time, he also waves at dogs and deer, because of the friendly person he is; he wants everyone to feel loved and also for people to feel like a somebody; he always makes a friend wherever he goes and most of the time when we go places, him making a friend isnt even all that necessary because 9 times out of 10 hes going to know everyone in the room. im glad kinsey could shape him into the social person he is; even if we are still there talking to people after the event ended 45 minutes ago; and im glad she was apart of the reason he is the way he is today. i get asked quite alot if my mom is dead and if my mom (jennifer) is my step mom, or i get asked how did i cope my mom dying while i was so young, but then i explain she was my dads late wife. i dont think i have ever finished telling the story and someone not be in pure shock or in tears. i didnt know kinsey but i know she left an impact on so many people and especially alot of the people im closest with today, so i know she was a good person based on the way her life reflected on them. as most of you know kinsey died pregnant and no gender was ever revealed. ive been told that my dad wanted at least 1 boy or always saw himself having boys; and he ended up having 3 girls, even my childhood dog was a girl. ive always felt a little guilty about us all being girls even though we cant help it but my dad being a girl dad was the best gift God could have given me. my dad is loved in every room he walks in and even my friends get sad when they come over and he isnt home. as i said before i never got to meet kinsey but i will forever appreciate her because she gave me another family, the blacks, that i couldnt imagine life without and because she gave me my bestfriend, my role model, a life mentor, and most importantly, my dad. i know that kinsey shaped so many peoples lives and she will always be cherished, mourned, and especially appreciated for making people who they are today.”
Thank you for having us, Hammond School! I’ve cried more in that building than any other, and somehow it’s out of happiness and gratitude. Hammond is a place where joy thrives!
Go ‘Hawks!
Love,
Franklin Jones
Speak Your Mind