BRENHAM HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR RECEIVES FIRST-EVER JAMES EMERSON DENNIS JR. SCHOLARSHIP

  

A Brenham High School senior was recognized Wednesday as the first recipient of the James Emerson Dennis, Jr. Black History Club Scholarship.

Opre’Auhna Graves was presented with a $5,000 scholarship at Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church to continue her education at Sam Houston State University, where she will major in nursing.  She has received $84,900 in scholarships, including the Smith-Hutson Scholarship.  She has also completed Blinn’s Certified Medical Assistance (CMA) Program.

Reverend Randy Wells, Associate Minister at Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church, said Graves exemplifies Dennis’ values of “spirituality, scholarship, service and social engagement.”  Dr. John D. Harris, Senior Pastor at the church, congratulated Graves on making history and said there is much more history for her in her future.

The memorial scholarship was established in honor of Dennis, a lifelong resident of Brenham who became a “Freedom Rider” in 1961 to protest racial segregation.  He was arrested and charged with breach of peace in Jackson, Mississippi and spent 40 days in the Mississippi State Penitentiary.

Dennis moved back to Brenham and became a teacher at Brenham High School.  He passed away in December, and a lifelong goal of his was posthumously accomplished, that being the establishment of a Black History Club at the school.