2022 Graduation Magazine

CLASS OF 2022 LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM MAY / JUNE 2022 Page 83 Major League. The Brooklyn Dodgers took a chance on Jackie. Jackie broke the color barrier.” Rev. Dr. Shelton said that he saw Jackie as motivator for himself. Rev. Dr. Shelton loved baseball and he strove to be as good as or better than Jackie Robinson. He said that Robinson’s career was plagued with challenges and prejudice starting with the team manager Peewee Reese, who had Robinson’s locker pulled out of the team area and placed next to the latrines. He said that fans booed him and “called him the N-word, more often than you’ll ever hear again, but that did not stop Jackie Robinson.” Robinson was not deterred by all that negativity. He set his sights on being a good baseball player and he surpassed even what he strove to achieve, becoming Rookie of the year, Most Valued Player for the team, and honored with a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Rev. Dr. Shelton moved on to share a story about Sir Winston Churchill. He drew a cigar from his pocket and stuck it in his mouth for a visual interpretation of the great man, who was known throughout England and the world for his influence in winning World War II. In his time, Churchill was asked to address a graduating class at Columbia University. He said yes he would attend and address the students. On graduation day, Churchill was not there when the processional began. He was not there at the heart of the ceremony. As the ceremony was drawing to its close, Churchill was not there. The time was near that the pastor should deliver the benediction, when up pulled a long black automobile with Churchill inside. “Out steps Winston Churchill, chomping on a big cigar.” When he went to the podium he gave the shortest address. He said three words. “What were those words? I’m glad you asked. Churchill said, “Don’t give up.”” Rev. Dr. Shelton left the podium and as he walked to the side stage looking intently at the students in the graduating class he boomed out at them, “Don’t you ever, ever, ever, ever, give up!” The rest of Rev. Dr. Shelton’s words were lost in the outburst of applause and cheers, and a standing ovation for the dynamic speaker as he bowed slightly and walked back to his seat on the stage. Continue 8