The Shadow
Total Action for Progress announced that fourteen Covington High School graduates had been awarded $1,000 dollar scholarships at Tuesday evening’s TAP’s Covington Graduation ceremony.
“We are glad to be in the community to serve you guys,” said Keisha Jordan, Youth Mentor Coordinator as she opened the program. After having everyone read TAP’s mission statement, Jordan introduced Jo Nelson, TAP’s This Valley Works Department Director and “proud to say I’m the Administrative Staff person responsible for the Covington operation,” said Nelson as she welcomed the audience.
Rev. Stephanie Clark, 2nd Chance Case Manager gave the invocation before Thomas Whitlock gave the Participant Address. Whitlock shared that thanks to TAP he is four years and four months sober. Prior to entering the TAP program, he had battled drugs for about 20 years and spent about a decade of his life in and out of the penitentiary.
“I went from cooking dope, selling dope, doing dope, overdosing several times and dying once to working at the jail where I had served four years,” said Whitlock. He is currently employed at Rockbridge Regional Jail where he teaches trades to people (he doesn’t like using the word inmates). He also has his own business.
“It’s not me, but God and the help of you,” said Whitlock as he gestured toward the program staff and family members in attendance. “If everybody does a little. Nobody has to do a lot,” added Whitlock and the audience gave him another round of applause.
Ann Fisher, Executive Director of Virginia CARES, said she was tasked with a song and sang “Hero” to the graduates before Virginia CARES/Second Chance, Alleghany Highlands Youth Mentoring, Appalachian CareerForge awards were presented by the program staff.
“Your certificates were based upon your hard work and your perseverance,” said Annette Lewis, TAP’s President and CEO. “This is the beginning of the rest of the achievements that you will have as a result of this,” added Lewis before presenting the class of 2023.
A meal was served immediately following the ceremony. Rev. Dr. L. A. Lewis, pastor, Morning Star Baptist Church, Roanoke, blessed the food and gave the benediction.
