WSSU students honored at annual awards banquet

Educating leaders for the present and future were the themes of the 2003 Annual Student Awards Banquet.Students from across Winston-Salem State University were honored last month for their outstanding performance over the past year. The banquet in the A.H. Anderson Center McNeil Banquet Hall drew a large audience of students who have made an impact on the university over the past year. Miss WSSU Rolanda Patrick received student volunteer of the year. Allieu Kamara received outstanding cadet of the year. The News Argus’ Editor-in-Chief Keith Caesar received student of the year.Sixty-five students received awards for being Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. About 155 students received awards for outstanding leadership with 28 students taking home awards for outstanding community service.The keynote speaker for the evening was the Honorable Roland B. Hayes. In his address to the students, he listed five vital components every student leader needs. Hayes is a graduate of WSSU and has served as a District Court Judge for 18 years, which ended in 2002. He is currently commissioned as an emergency District Court Judge for North Carolina.In his address to student leaders, he said they should ask themselves whether they have the five components needed to be a student leader.He said students leaders need to have a positive attitude, vision, set goals for themselves, desire and self-confidence.”The world makes way for people who know where they are going. Take charge of future,” Hayes said.”Desire is where achievement begins. Desire gives birth to great accomplishments.” He added that people with self-confidence overcome ideas that limit themselves”They believe in themselves,” said Hayes. “Leaders go where there is not path and leave a trail.” At the heart of the message, Hayes addressed what is essential for a leader of today who will be successful tomorrow.”Do what you are committed to do,” said Hayes. “Depart to serve.”Your best days are still ahead of you. The world is waiting for you. Dreams don’t work unless you do. Turn dreams into reality,” he said.