DALLAS – This year's class of the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program concluded its Summer 2015 activities with its annual Intern/Sponsor Recognition Luncheon Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Downtown Dallas, Hyatt Regency Hotel. It was the 22nd year for the program named in honor of the noted Dallas physician, who in addition to being a former Trustee of the Dallas Independent School District, was also the first African American member of the Texas State Board of Education.

Scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 were awarded to 10 interns for their participation in volunteer events and other activities over the summer program. The scholarship winners were: LaJoi Bass (UNT Dallas), Mia Tiara Hall (Prairie View A&M University), Akilah Jackson (UT Arlington), Walter Oliver (Harvard), Courtney Austin (UT Austin), Khadiga Carr (Texas Tech), Corey Crowell (Texas A&M - Commerce), Cecily Molina (Texas A&M), Sedney Bolden (Texas A&M - Commerce) and Brian Daniels (SMU).

The luncheon's keynote speaker, Serita A. Jakes, co-founder and First Lady of The Potter's House, delivered an inspiring message to the students, parents and sponsors, telling the interns to let passion fuel their purpose. “Write down your vision and be passionate about your future,” said Mrs. Jakes, in also encouraging them to make use of the good and bad experiences that may come their way. “Use mistakes to your advantage.”

More than 2,200 interns have participated in the program that was started by State Senator Royce West in 1993. This summer, 123 college students were placed in paid internships at 53 businesses across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Senator West said the program is now in its second generation of interns. Dr. Keisha Lankford, who served as Mistress of Ceremony, was in the inaugural 1993 intern class. Two of her daughters have been Conrad interns.

Senator West thanked the employment sponsors for their roles in providing students with valuable work experience. “We appreciate your support over the past 22 years helping us to develop the next generation of leaders,” Senator West said. “We need to make sure there is a pipeline of leaders to follow us who can step up and take us to the next level.”

Of the 53 employment sponsors and program supporters, 22 were recognized as STARS for leading the charge for the program. The 2015 STARS were: the Conrad Alumni Association, TDCJ - Pardons and Parole Division, Reverend Richard Evans, Singing Hills Recreation Center, Linda Brown of KPMG, Texas Health & Human Services Commission, AT&T, Hurley Miller of Texas A&M Agri-Life, Mark Cuban's Heroes Camp, UNT at Dallas, Dianne Cortez of Charlton Methodist, RedBird Skateland, Ferrovial, Parkland Hospital and Healthcare System, The City of DeSoto, Dallas County Community College District - Facilities, Pegasus Link Construction, Conrad Alumni Advisor Danielle Conley and her sons, UTSW Medical Center, Dallas Housing Authority, Dr. Cecil Bailey, and Children's Hospital.

Dameka Reddic of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas received the Rookie Award and Johnny Wallace of Ameritex Vending received the Community Service Award.

Scholarship and event underwriters were: Energy Future Holdings/TXU, Exelon, Texas Instruments, DART, Dakita Enterprises, Inc., Coca Cola Bottling Company of North Texas, Entertainment Software Association, Hillco Partners, The Kelley Law Firm, ONCOR, Carl Richie Law, Time Warner Cable, Texas A&M University - Public Partnership and Outreach, Center Point Energy, Mary Kay Corp, Alumni Association of the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program, Mrs. Eleanor Conrad & the Conrad-Nelson Family, Ron & Alice Davis, Drs. Jesse & Janice Ingram ( The Rehab Group), OTSL Charities, Cheryl Smith’s Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon, Dr. Craig Thomas, Witherspoon Law Group and Carole & Chalin Wright.

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