THOMAS WELLS PRESENTED JAMES EMERSON DENNIS JR. SCHOLARSHIP
member; Helen Dennis, wife to the late Deacon
James E. Dennis, Jr.; Thomas Wells, recipient; Mt.
Rose Missionary Baptist Church Pastor John D.
Harris
(courtesy photo)
A Brenham High School senior was honored on Wednesday as the next recipient of the James Emerson Dennis, Jr. Black History Club Memorial Scholarship.
Thomas Wells is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship, which was established last year in honor of Dennis.
Wells is a founding member of Brenham High School’s Black History Club, serving as the vice president his junior and senior years. He is a member of the Nikki Pederson Talent Agency and aspires to be an actor, writer, producer and director. He has enrolled at Blinn College to major in business management this fall.
and Rev. Randy Wells
(courtesy photo)
Dennis was a lifelong resident of Brenham who became a “Freedom Rider” in 1961 during the civil rights movement. He traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, where he was arrested and charged with breach of peace and spent 40 days in the Mississippi Penitentiary.
During segregation, Dennis was a student at Pickard High School and went on to teach at Brenham High School. His goal was to establish a Black History Club at the high school.
Helen Dennis, James’ widow, said he would be proud of Thomas for his hard work in achieving this honor.
Deon Jones of DJ Power Company is the major sponsor of the scholarship.