Comrie also noted that even at this early stage of life, Wright has been involved in a lot of community work. “He has a great personality and a positive outlook on life, and we wanted to bring him down to congratulate him on his community outreach so far and on his scholarship,� Comrie concluded.
(Picture on right shows Shaelon Wright, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Wright’s mother Rachel Jefferson)
On a recent afternoon at City Hall, Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie brought forward in the Council Chamber Junior High School graduate Shaelon Wright to receive a proclamation in honor of his having won a coveted education scholarship from the Alpha Sigma Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
Quoting the well-known saying that it “takes a village to raise a child,� Comrie declared, “We want to congratulate the Boulé for reaching out and being that village, ensuring that this young man knows that as long as he continues to get good grades, he will have a guaranteed college scholarship.�
Comrie explained that while the scholarship entitles Wright to four years at a private high school as well as eight years of college, Wright wants to experience a public high school before moving on to college. He has chosen to follow his uncle, Dr. Jonathan Jefferson, to Thomas Edison High School where he will pursue his interests in computer animation, mathematics and English literature.
Comrie also noted that even at this early stage of life, Wright has been involved in a lot of community work. “He has a great personality and a positive outlook on life, and we wanted to bring him down to congratulate him on his community outreach so far and on his scholarship,� Comrie concluded.
As the proclamation states, Shaelon Wright attended Allen A.M.E. Christian School and Kings Academy Christian School in Harlem and is a graduate of IS 192, the Renaissance Middle School. He has received tremendous inspiration and assistance from his parents, Rachel Jefferson and William Wright, Jr.; his grandmother, Doris Wright; his grandfather, Thomas Jefferson, and other family members.
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, which was founded in 1904 by African American graduates in medicine, law and other professions, has included some of the most prominent Black professionals in the nation. Among the past and present members are Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., former Mayor David Dinkins, Arthur Ashe, Rev. Calvin Butts and Marc Morial. The fraternity believes in “giving back� by sharing the success of its members with well-deserving individuals and groups.
The proclamation concludes: “Shaelon Wright’s success and thirst for knowledge exemplifies the best of his generation. Now, therefore, be it known that the Council of the City of New York congratulates him on receiving this prestigious award from the “Archons� of the Alpha Sigma Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and commends his supportive family, his educators and the fraternity for providing the inspiration and encouragement that is ensuring this young student’s success.�
A citation was also given to Johnson Nelson, President of the Alpha Sigma Boulé, who said that they like to find young men with potential and intervene when they are young to ensure that they have the proper encouragement and incentive to do their best. “As the phrase goes, we want them to be all that they can be,� Nelson commented, “and it is our pleasure to select such a fine young man who has such a wonderful support group. We have very high expectations, and we want him to know that we are committed to his future success, which we are sure will happen.�
In accepting his award Shaelon Wright was brief and to the point. “I thank the City Council for its proclamation and the Boulé for giving me the scholarship,� he said. “I appreciate it.
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