News Summary
Dr. Jonelle Knox has launched a charitable fund honoring his great-grandmother, Rosa Stewart, to benefit students at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School. The fund will provide an annual $1,200 donation for educational resources, including student supplies and incentives through the school’s PBIS program. This initiative aims to enhance opportunities for the over 1,000 students enrolled at the school. Rosa Stewart, an influential figure in education and civil rights, will be remembered through this contributions aimed at supporting young learners.
Starkville, Mississippi – Dr. Jonelle Knox has established a charitable fund in memory of his great-grandmother, Rosa Stewart, to support students at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School. The fund will provide an annual $1,200 donation, which can be utilized at the discretion of the school’s administration for various student resources.
The check was presented to HWS Elementary Principal Ramon Forbes, marking the beginning of an initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students. The financial contributions are set to assist with costs related to student supplies, field trips, and other activities that promote an enriched classroom experience. Additionally, Principal Forbes indicated that the funds could be applied as rewards and incentives within the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
Dr. Knox expressed his appreciation for the lessons learned from his great-grandmother, highlighting the significant role that quality education plays in fostering lifelong success. The fund aims to continue Stewart’s legacy by providing resources that empower and inspire young learners at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary, which currently enrolls over 1,000 students in grades 2-4.
About Rosa Stewart
Rosa Stewart was born in 1902 and dedicated her life to education. She served as an English teacher at the Oktibbeha County Training School (OCTS), which was a crucial educational institution for African American students prior to the integration of schools in 1970. Stewart retired in 1968 as the head of the English Department at OCTS and was actively engaged in civil rights activism throughout her life.
Her contributions to education and her community extended beyond the classroom. Rosa Stewart was a trailblazer, being the first African American woman to run for a seat on the Starkville Board of Aldermen. In honor of her contributions, Stewart was posthumously recognized as a Starkville Unity Park honoree in 2018, celebrating her influence on Black History in Oktibbeha County.
Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School
The school, built in 1954 on the site of the former Oktibbeha County Training School, was named in honor of Rosa Stewart in recognition of her profound impact in the field of education. The mission of HWS Elementary is to provide quality education and foster a supportive learning environment for its students. The establishment of the Stewart family fund reflects the continued commitment to educational excellence within the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.
With the establishment of this fund, Dr. Knox not only pays tribute to his great-grandmother’s legacy but also reinforces the importance of supporting educational initiatives that cater to the needs of today’s students. The financial support provided through this initiative stands to benefit numerous students at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary and emphasizes a community’s dedication to nurturing future generations.
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Additional Resources
- Starkville School District News
- Wikipedia: Rosa Stewart
- Commercial Dispatch – Unity Park Honorees
- Google Search: Rosa Stewart Starkville
- The Mississippi Link – In Memoriam
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
