My name is Troy Anthony Greene. I’m a single, 36 years old continuing student at Foothill College. I was honored to receive the Lewis Latimer Award sponsored by the African American History Month Planning Committee in February. My sincere thanks go to Paul McConnell, my Internet working instructor, for nominating me. I especially thank the African American History Month Planning Committee for creating this annual awards program. I also wish to acknowledge my former Air Force supervisors, former teachers, close friends, my mother and last but not least God as my sources of my inspiration and success.

Let me tell you about my background. I was born in West Virginia and raised in Washington, D.C. My hobbies include astronomy, biking, dining out, listening to jazz and watching movies. From 1986 to 1997, I served in the United States Air Force as a Telecommunications Specialist. During that time, I traveled and worked abroad in England, Italy, Japan and Korea. My final duty assignment was at Onizuka Air Station in Sunnyvale, California where I decided to remain and become a resident. I separated with an Honorable discharge and rank of Staff Sergeant.

Immediately after, I joined Globalstar in San Jose, California. I accepted a position as a Senior Network Technician for the satellite telephony service provider to manage the telecommunications cable plant, provide users network access and troubleshoot LAN/WAN problems. Recently I received a promotion and title change to Senior Network Administrator.

In the winter 1999 quarter, I enrolled in Foothill College to pursue an Associates Degree in Data Communications & Network Management. Prior to my military enlistment, I attended the University of the District of Columbia taking liberal arts classes. Currently, I’m on Foothill College’s Dean List and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

My professional goal is to continue my education towards a degree in network engineering and network consulting. Also, I have a desire to work with people in community centers to the knowledge and experience I have acquired in the data communications and computer-networking field.

To my fellow students I offer you the following advice; Surround yourself with positive people. They can offer support and reassurance especially you encounter the peaks and valleys of trying to pursue your goals and dreams. But you must first believe in yourself and have the confidence that any goal you want to achieve is possible. Preparation and perseverance are two key ingredients to making it happen.

East Bay Artist Donates Art to Foothill by Robert Garcia

As many have already noticed there is a new addition to the Pass the Torch room, a colorful collage in mixed media by Oakland based artist Milton Bowens. Students and faculty alike very well received his recent exhibition in the Seman Library for African History Month. When Foothill College showed interest in purchasing one of his pieces he very generously donated the painting entitled "Looking for a Hero." It will be temporarily displayed in the Pass the Torch room until a permanent location is secured.

Reflections from African Students
By Felket Kahsay

Foothill College celebrates African-American History Month with style and energy every February. I asked a couple of international African students how they would celebrate African History Month and if they commemorate it in their native country. I found their responses very interesting.

Cynthia Asiyo, a Kenyan student believes that it was strange to call what Kenya would celebrate African History Month. "What we have is a kind of music festival to celebrate the period that the particular colony was commemorated. We have traditional and folk dances and a variety of music." The people of Kenya also acknowledge their heroes during this time."

Lawrence Amasa of Ghana describes how Ga people celebrate the Homowo festival that literally means to shame hunger. Food made of corn is scattered in the streets to symbolize the people’s defeat over starvation.

Landis Baker from the Seychelles Islands like Cynthia related to the music Festival Creole held every October by the different
African islands in East Africa. The festivals unify people through cultural exchanges.

Diseph Igoni, a Nigerian American believes that African American History Month is a time to reflect on what black people have been successful at as well as our visions of the past, present and future. African American History Month should not be something celebrated only once a year. It should be ongoing. De’shawn Charles considers African American History Month as a time to understand and learn about our culture, people and the past.

Foothill Student Receives George Washington Carver Award

Kele Kalani Napoleon, Foothill College student is the recipient of the George Washington Carver Awaqrd for outstanding Scholastic Achievement. Kele graduated in the top 25% of her class and completed AP(advanced placement) classes in Chemistry, Physics, English, Spanish, Mathematics, and Biology. She is a National Merit Scholar honoree scoring in the top 10% of African American high school students in the nation. Kele is a taekwondo black belt and talented basketball player. She will transfer to UC Davis as a Biology major i the fall. Her long-term goal is to become a Dentist.

Kele presented the Carver Award Plaque by Melanie Pla- Richards and Rose Meyers

Foothill Students, Faculty and Staff March on Foothill

More than 100 students, faculty and staff recreated the historic March on Washington, D.C., to honor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 12. Students carried placards and the group sang spirituals as it proceeded through Cesar Chavez Plaza at Foothill College. The event ended with the annual MLK Jr. Luncheon sponsored by the Foothill African American Network and Black Student Union. As guest speaker, The Honorable LaDoris Cordell, Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, delivered a passionate and inspiring speech to a standing room only luncheon audience. The King Jr. Luncheon Planning Committee included Donald Dorsey, chairman, John Bostic, Juanita Croft, Willie Friesen, April Henderson, Rose Myers and Melanie Pla-Richard.

The Griot Editors

“Not to know is bad.
Not to want to know is worse.
Not to hope is unthinkable.
Not to care is unforgivable.”
Nigerian Proverb