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Black History Essay Pays For College

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: February 20, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - At 13, Terrance Hudson already has a sense of what his calling in life might be.

"I want to be a motivational speaker," says Hudson, a seventh-grader at Powell Middle School. "I like talking to people and helping them and sort of giving them inspiration."

An essay that Hudson wrote apparently has done just that - and earned him a prepaid scholarship to the state university of his choosing.

He won the middle school category of the state's annual Black History Month essay contest for his piece titled, "Accessing the Future Through the Hard Work of the Past."

Hudson, the son of Rick and Althea Hudson of Brooksville, will receive a four-year Florida Prepaid College scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Valued at nearly $16,000, the scholarship covers four years of tuition and local fees at a Florida public university.

The Hudsons traveled to Tallahassee recently to receive congratulations from Gov. Charlie Crist.

"I honestly never thought I would have that opportunity, so I'm happy," Terrance said.

Students were asked to answer this question: "In his acceptance speech, our new president-elect encouraged all citizens to work together for our nation's continued growth and prosperity. As a citizen of Florida, one of the nation's most diverse and culturally rich states, what will you do to contribute to a brighter future for Florida and all its citizens?"

Terrance wrote, in part: "I believe the best way to contribute to a brighter future for Florida and all of its citizens is to make all citizens aware of their rich culture. Coming together for a common goal will unite us all and educate at the same time."

"It is all about unity and the need for it," Hudson wrote. "That's what led to the election of the first African-American and the Emancipation Proclamation led by Abraham Lincoln."

The words came easily, Terrance said.

"I think it flowed out pretty well," he said.

The state received a total of 3,500 entries for elementary, middle and high school students.

"We're looking for who answers the question the best, and if it's well written," said Casey Fisher, operations coordinator for the Prepaid Foundation.

Rick and Althea Hudson are both teachers at Powell Middle School. Terrance is in his mother's math class.

They said the scholarship is a blessing, especially for a family that already has two daughters in college.

"Now he can choose any school he wants to," Rick Hudson said.

Terrance says he's not sure yet which one that will be. One of his sisters attends the University of Florida, so he might head to Gainesville.

Whichever school he attends, the recognition of his writing skills gave him a boost of confidence, he said.

"I feel like now, whatever I put my mind to, I can be blessed enough to make it happen," he said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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