BOWLING BALLERS!

Trophies go to DeSoto Mayor and WFAA Photojournalist

It was all for a good cause – raising dollars to fund scholarships and veteran journalist Cheryl Smith has been hosting the Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon since 1995, taking a brief hiatus during COVID.

On Saturday, June 21, hundreds gathered at Plano Super Bowl, and DeSoto Mayor Rachel Proctor and WFAA-TV’s Justin Fuller were the Celebrity High Bowlers, and Dwayne Patrick and Carisa Montgomery won all-around high bowlers. The First Place Team was multiple-year winner, Evans Engraving 1 for First Place, Evans Engraving 2 for Second Place and Golden Gate Funeral Home for Third Place.

Celebrity Bowlers included Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown, Radio Hall of Famer Chris Arnold, WFAA-TV’s Scoop Jefferson, National Association of Black Journalists Vice President Print Eva Coleman, Judges Valencia Nash and Ingrid Warren, Dallas City Councilwoman Lorie Blair, DFW-ABJ President/Sports Host Clarence “Chill” Hill, Radio Personalities Terance J and Dareia Jacobs, NABJ Founder Norma Adams Wade, K104’s Ron Murray, Fox 4 News’ Shaun Rabb, Pastor David McGruder, Legal Defense Funds Demetria McCain, Constable Eddie Brown, and dianne “Miss Community” gibson.

Initial numbers have this year’s event, raising more than $20,000 for grants, scholarships, and internships; in addition to a $1,500 scholarship awarded by Judge Aiesha Redmond and a $500 scholarship awarded by the Psi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.

As always, the event was boosted by the support of the Black Press, with local NNPA publishers, Magic 94.5 FM, and numerous other bloggers and media organizations providing promotional support.

A highlight of the evening was the continued support of Texas State Sen. Royce West’s Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program students, alumni, and long-time director Lajuana Barton, who have represented/ volunteered at every bowl-a-thon since 1995.

Over the years, the Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation has awarded thousands to journalism students, HBCUs and Dr. Betty Shabazz Educational Excellence recipients annually, in addition to funding fellowships, journalism workshops and trips to NABJ Conferences and Conventions.