News

FAMILY WORKS FOR SON’S MEMORY BY HELPING OTHERS

By Tirzah Pope/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, May 9, 2009 10:14 PM CDT

After the untimely death of their son David Jerome Vaughan, Rose and Earl Vaughan vowed to keep his memory alive by “building a better world one child at a time.” They have worked to keep David’s organization, TheArts Inc. Productions, going to see that his vision remains realized.

Rose said, “if I can help just one other young man, than I've accomplished something.” Rose hosted the second Father and Son Banquet at Bonanza and invited Juvenile Judge, Earnest Brown to speak about the keys of success.

Success comes through self-confidence, patience, being positive, and by preparing for the future, said Brown. “You need to love yourself ... study hard ... stand for something.”

The banquet was part of the lead up to the “Little Gentlemen Esquires” pageant to be held at 4 p.m. May 24 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in the Hathaway Howard Fine Arts Auditorium and will include performances by the “Little Gentlemen.”

The young participants also will increase knowledge of Black History with the hope that it will serve as a source of “pride, beauty and self-esteem.” Other preparations include education about drug and crime prevention.

Jaylen Talley, 8, said he likes being a “Little Gentleman” because he enjoys reciting speeches and “making my mother proud.” His father Jarvis Talley drove from Atlanta to be a part of the event.

Braylon Pridgeon, a Townsend Park Elementary School third-grader, said he likes to learn “how to help ladies like my mom.”

In 2001, David Jerome Vaughan founded TheArts Production Inc. with Harold Goodloe to give young men the chance to showcase talent, learn proper etiquette and teamwork.

It has been six years since the death of David Jerome Vaughan but his spirit can still be seen in the faces of young men in the organization.

Print this story   |   Email this story