The Ann Arbor branch of the NAACP hosted its annual Freedom Fund dinner at the Four Points Sheraton, honoring more than 100 black students from city schools who earned a grade point average of 3.2 through the spring term of 2010.

Keith Owens, former senior editor of The Michigan Chronicle, was keynote speaker, telling the students that the "imagination, drive and sheer energy'' of the young can be a powerful force.

"Often it is the uncompromising spirit of the young people that gives the rest of us the courage to do what needs to be done,'' he said. "It is the young who have what it takes to dream better nations.''

Mrs. Joseph D. Mhoon, the branch’s first vice president, was honored for celebrating her 91st birthday on the day of the Freedom Fund dinner. Miriam A. Perry received a certificate as the branch's 30th Life Member, and Victor C. Turner, who has been an NAACP member for over 50 years and currently serves as branch secretary, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The NAACP branch provides free study sessions for all black students grades 1-12 on Saturday mornings at Bethel AME Church, and also co-sponsors a Black College Trip during spring break.

The students honored were: Community High

Leah Awkward-Rich Melissa Chime Bradie Connor** Senait Dafa* Chelsea Evans-Warren* Rianna Johnson-Levy Tamara Parks** Kylah Thompson

Huron High

Christiana Allen-Pipkin* Brianna Brewer Tavion Calhoun Brittany Cole** Blaire Crockett* Awah Ditah** Ibrahim Fasina Camille Frazier JeJuan French* Jessica Gibson Sara Golidy Marysa Hill** LaMicah Hughbanks* Rachel Hutchings Kamaria Lee* Maya Long* Alexis Marable Danielle Marshall Olivia Martin Xavier McClair Chelsea Mercer Hannah Mohamed Deborah-Luti Munganga Fatou Ndaw* Cynthia Ofili* Gabriel Stevenson Imani Watkins** Lindsey Whitlock* Dallas Williams* Bianca Wilson

Pioneer High

Josephine Alinoti Triesha Arnold** Malachi Bowerbank* Tiffany Cole** Jazmine Cooper* Chloe Corley** DeLaynna Corley* Sinclaire Fonville Taylor Gayton Gregory Goss II** Megan Graham** Ivy Gregory Mani Herring** Shana Jackson Terrell Jordan-McKnight Ashli Marable* Kailen McKay** Ti'Anna Mercer Kaitlyn Mills** Jassadi Moore Justin Pendleton* Daniesha Scott* Antonia Smith Crystal Smith** Willie Smith Jr. ** Ana Vereen* Joshua Weiland** Aaron Wilson**

Roberto Clemente

Wilniqua Battle Roderick Casey II Yazmin Warren

Skyline High

Oreoluwapo Abatan Emily Anderson Shalena Blocker Christian Boyd Kevin Burden Mariam Carson Joshua Crawford Densu Dixon Hafsa Farah* Tionna Griffin Dominique Hardy Jeremy Jagers* Austin Lee Kelsy Lee* Jasper Lindsay* Abeni Lynk Kiyah Mills Lena Mitchell Mariah Mitchell Jonathan Muriu* Frederick Newing II Chauné Rael-Whitsitt* Hussain Sandifer Imani Schneider Christopher Shepherd Jayla Sims Mahal Stevens Ashlie Turner Sina Webster James Wilks Paige Wint* Emajae Woodley Malaika Worsham

* Second year scholars ** Third year scholars