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"Do the dance you've been shown, by everyone you've known, until the dance becomes your very own, into a dancer you've grown, from seeds someone else has thrown, go ahead throw some seeds of your own, somewhere between the time you arrive and the time you go home, because in the end there is one dance you will do alone."
That's one of the most golden of many precious nuggets of wisdom put forth by achieving men and women with York ties. It's an example of the instructive thinking by those featured in publications compiled and distributed by the York Daily Record/Sunday News for classroom use.
Two sections tell the stories of veteran and up-and-coming men and women. Another section, Making History, tells of the growth of Crispus Attucks Community Center as a force for good in the community.
A group of York Daily Record/Sunday News journalists - our history team - put together these stories as a resource for teachers participating in Newspapers in Education to use in York County schools. Copies also are available at Crispus Attucks Community Center and York County Community Against Racism.
As an example, the following bits of advice, put forth by achievers in York's black community, will be available for students:
·Michael Black: "To approach everything you do with a positive attitude and believe in yourself because if you don't, chances are you probably won't be able to accomplish whatever you want to do."
·Stefan Cravens: "My parents always told me my faith was important, and I needed to stick strong with that. I was one of those kids who won awards for not missing a Sunday - but it wasn't always because I wanted to be there. Still, I'm thankful now that was the direction I was pushed in."
·Daniel Elby: "Surround yourself with good people; people who have achieved the type of things you would like to achieve. Talk to them about what some of their struggles were and how they overcame them. When you learn how to do that, you can accomplish anything you set out to do."
·Sean Hammond: "Dumb men learn from their own mistakes. Smart men learn from the mistakes of others. That's how I try to live my life - staying humble and learning from the mistakes of others."
·The Rev. Julia Hines-Harris: "Don't sell yourself for a fast high or fast money. Get your education and, in all your getting, get knowledge. Get in touch with your spiritual side for all young people, and know that only what you do for Christ will last. If people are in another faith, know that only what you do for God will last."
·Rosalind Hill: "One of the things I kind of always live by is that you may not be the best at something, but you should always do your best at what you do. It may not always get you the result you want, but you can be happy with your effort. If you do that, you will never be disappointed. Also, think before you act and before you speak."
·Dr. Deborah McMillan: " I don't want anyone walking in my footsteps. I prefer to always have people walking by my side."
·Daisy Myers: "Look for the good in people. A garden of roses is beautiful, but a garden of mixed roses - red, yellow, white and pink - is more beautiful. We need to stop and smell all the roses."
·Dr. Debra Newman Ham: "This is a quote, I don't know whose it is: 'God gives his best to those who leave the choice with him.'"
·Jason Phillips: "Any situation, whether it be good or bad, any question or concern, pray about it."
·Dr. Reuben Washington: "I think if I was going to give any advice, it would be don't give up on a dream, however remote. Because if you work toward that dream or goal, most likely you will succeed more times than not." Sexton set his advice to poetry.
Crispus Attucks' Bobby Simpson, another achiever profiled who has been at the vanguard in the black community for 30 years, characteristically did not mince words:
"Leadership is not easy. Taking responsibility is not easy. Making decisions is not easy.
"I have a picture on my wall that says, 'Leaders are like eagles - you see them one at a time - not like pigeons that flock together.'
"Be like an eagle and stand out. Be different. You can always tell the lead dog by the bites on his ass. You don't have time to slow up." James McClure is editor of the York Daily Record/Sunday News. He has written five books on county history. To contact him, call 771-2000, or e-mail jem@ ydr.com.
Women's history
Women's History details accomplishments of pioneering women of York. It updates profiles taken from AAUW's "Legacies," published in 1984, and adds stories of recent achievers.
Some examples:
Netta Ford, Visiting Nurse Association:"While her practical accomplishments in the field were impressive, her goals were for the future. The key lay in prevention and education - self-education, continuous education of her staff and, above all, public education. ... Knowing her agency was but one element in a complex formula, she demanded other professionals' involvement - and got it."
Victoria M. Lyles, York City Schools:"She also recognized the damaging effects of racial discrimination on a child. In the 1940s, long before integration became a popular issue in the country, she was an outspoken advocate of integration in York's elementary schools. ... In 1947, the first interracial kindergarten was opened in an all-white school. This evolved into the integration of 18 more schools that used the plan designed by Lyles."
Delma Milan Rivera:"Rivera feels it was 'God's will' that brought her and her husband to York. With the dream of a Spanish community center a reality, she has yet another dream - that of statehood for her beloved Puerto Rico."
In verse
Making History, a short history of Crispus Attucks Community Center, sets wisdom to verse:
Looking Ahead
Are you in earnest? Seize this moment.
What you think you can do, begin it!
Boldness has courage, power, magic in it.
Begin, and the mind grows heated.
Begin, and the job will be completed.
Sadie Orr Dunbar,
CA Herald, 1971
Crispus Attucks Summer Day Camp Creed
I am a positive individual
ready to navigate my life
in positive channels
The world owes me nothing.
It is up to me
to achieve
to live my life
to plan my destiny
My plan is to succeed.
