Sanford’s ties to the legendary Muhammad Ali

Sanford’s Ties to The Legendary Muhammad Ali. Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on Jan. 17, 1942, in Louisville, KY) was an American Olympic and professional boxer, 3-time heavyweight world champion, Civil Rights activist, and humanitarian.  
From early in his career, Ali was known as an inspiring and controversial figure both inside and outside the ring. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th Century. He is responsible for some of the most legendary moments in the ring. His incomparable work ethic, revolutionary techniques, and fearlessness towards standing up for his beliefs, all contribute to the legend that is Muhammad Ali, called the “The Greatest” and “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated in 1999 at their 20th Century Sports Awards in New York's Madison Square Garden.  
He was honored with a number of accolades and titles including, “The Greatest”, “Fighter of the Year”, “Sportsman of the Year”, “Sportsman of the Century” and “Sports Personality of the Century”. He was the proud recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he received in 2005 from then President George W. Bush.  He was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is even honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  
Famous quotes attributed to Ali, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life”; “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”; “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it”. Ali passed away on June 3, 2016 in Scottsdale, AZ at the age of 74.
The late Drew (Bundini) Brown, of Sanford, FL, worked as a corner man and assistant trainer for Muhammad Ali throughout Ali’s career. Brown joined Ali’s entourage in the early 1960's when the young boxer was known as Cassius Clay and remained with him until his final fight in 1981. Brown was also one of Ali’s speech writers and is credited with originating the champion's famous battle cry, ''Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.''  
Brown passed away in 1987 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, at the age of 59. The funeral was held in his hometown, Sanford, FL. (Sources: www.Muhammad Ali and www.New York Times Obituaries 09-26-1987).

• Save the Date and Plan to Attend: The Pearlie Mae Ford Community Service Club of Sanford, Inc. and the Seminole County Branch of the NAACP are hosting the second Voter Information Forum on Tues., July 7, 2016, at 6:30 p.m., at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1203 Olive Ave., Sanford (Rev. Octavious L. Smith, Host Pastor).  
Everyone is invited to come out to meet the local, state and national candidates, ask questions and get prepared for the August 30, 2016 Florida Primary Election. The Moderator will be Seminole County Supervisor of Elections, Mike Ertel.  Questions, call 407-592-1850.

• The Crooms Academy Grand Reunion Planning Committee announces the 2016 Grand Reunion to be held in Sanford, FL on Dec 27-29, 2016, with the theme, “Crooms Legacy–Lest We Forget”.  
This will be the 4th combined celebration of the special heritage shared by alumni of Crooms Academy High School from 1926-1970. The schedule of events is as follows: Tues., Dec. 27, Registration and Worship Service; Wed., Dec. 28, Parade and Picnic; Thurs., Dec. 29, Banquet (formal attire); additional activities are being considered.  
Reunion participation fees are as follows: Full Package (all events and shirt and tote bag combination, $125 per person); Banquet only $65 per person; Picnic only $50 person (includes shirt and tote bag combo); Shirt and Tote Bag Combo only, $25; Commemorative Booklet, $25.
Free events include the parade, worship service and tours of the Crooms Memorabilia Room, the Goldsboro Museum and Goldsboro Welcome Center. Partial fee payments are welcome; final payments are due no later than Nov. 1, 2016. As a courtesy to others and to insure full funding of contracted activities, no refunds will be made. They are accepting ads for the commemorative program booklet; space will be limited, so get your ad in early.  
The deadline for submission and payment for ads is Sept. 30, 2016. Ad prices, full page $100; half page; $50; quarter page $25; patrons (name only) $10. All ads must be camera ready. The Lake Mary Marriott Hotel is offering special rates for hotel accommodations; book early because of other events being held during the time of the reunion.  
Questions and to register, contact Wilbur E. Hawkins at 407-463-0317 or via E-mail, Wilbur.hawkins@yahoo.com.  Make checks and/or money orders payable to Historic Crooms Grand Reunion Committee and mail to P.O. Box 2731; Sanford, FL  32772. Grand Reunion Officers are Wilbur E. Hawkins (‘66), Chairperson; Dr. Barbara Kirby-Bentley (’65), Co-Chair; Victoria N. Murphy (’64), Recording Secretary; Johnnie Ben Harvey (’61), Corresponding Secretary; Ella Flagler Woodard (’66), Treasurer; Dorothy L. Curry (’54) Financial Secretary/Asst. Treasurer; Sylvester Randall (’58), Chaplain.

• June Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries: Happy Birthday to: Retha Baker; Carrie Blake; Laurie Hayes-Coleman; Lady Bernice Hendrix; Tommy Kelly; Elder Terry McKinney; Martha Ann DeBose-McKinney; Rev. Eddie Martin; Irna Walker; Sheralyn J. Brinson; Eunice Idella Wilson (will be 99 on June 28th); Betty Robinson (will be 84 on June 21st); Irene Lamar (turned 85 on June 4th).

• Happy Wedding Anniversary to Elcannon and Brenda DeBose.

• The Crooms Academy Alumni Association, Inc., recently awarded six scholarships to Seminole County students as follows:
Mohamedhadi Z. Somji, a Crooms Academy of Information Technology graduate, will be attending Florida State University in Tallahassee.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Zuherhussein M. Somji.
Tomia Johnson, a Crooms Academy of Information Technology graduate, will be attending Seminole State College in Sanford.  She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Johnson.
Heather Ajila, a Crooms Academy of Information Technology graduate, will be
attending Tallahassee Community College. She is the daughter of Katherine Ajila.
Faith Anya Nathan, a Crooms Academy of Information Technology graduate, will be attending the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.  She is the daughter of Maya Nathan.  
Deshawn DeBose, a Lake Mary High School graduate, will be attending Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach.  He is the son of Oletha Dames.  
Samur J. Oliver, a Seminole High School graduate, will be attending Florida A&M University or Florida State University in Tallahassee. She is the daughter of Ellen Thomas.
Congratulations and continued success to these 2016 graduates and scholarship recipients.

- Sheralyn Brinson, SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com