This was the message of Robert Martin, speaker at the annual awards luncheon of the Mercer County Frontiers Club held March 23 at The Rosemont Banquet and Conference center, Sharon.

Martin, a graduate of Sharon High School where he starred in basketball, is a readjustment counseling therapist for the Veterans Administration in Erie.

He earned a bachelor's of arts degree in psychology from Clarion University and a master's of arts degree in counselor education and student personnel services from Edinboro University.

The Community Service Award was presented to David W. Torrence of Hermitage for his years of service as a volunteer fireman, and to Donald Miller of Farrell for his years of dedicated service to the baseball program in Farrell. The award, established in 1975, is presented each year to African American individuals or organizations who unselfishly give volunteer service to the community.

The club presented five $500 scholarships and five $100 scholarships to African-American high school seniors. Recipients of the $500 scholarships were: Nicole Austin, Gena Elerby, Luvretta Holloway, and Charlette Sneed from Farrell High School; and Anthony Barlow of Hickory High School. Recipients of the $100 scholarships were: Marcie Booth of Brookfield High School; Shea-Lin Williams, Sharon High School; and Ericka Jones, Tiffany Hopson and Shavone Palmer of Farrell High School.

The Scholar Recognition Award was presented to African-American graduates of area schools who completed an academic program above high school mainly in the year prior to the luncheon. The recipients of the 2002 Scholarship Recognition Awards were: