SALUTE TO GRADUATES TRIBUTES 2023: Dallas Bishop Lynch High multi-sport athlete Kelsey Caldwell Jr. achieves his grandest milestone to date, headed to prestigious Morehouse College in the fall
Andre Johnson 
Now, graduates, I am humbled to stand here with all of you as an honorary Morehouse Man. I finally made it. And as I do, I’m mindful of an old saying: “You can always tell a Morehouse Man, but you can’t tell him much.” And that makes my task a little more difficult, I suppose. But I think it also reflects the sense of pride that’s always been part of this school’s tradition. — Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America, during his May 19, 2013 commencement address at Morehouse College
GOD-ORDERED STEPS
LANCASTER, Texas — Ashley Ferguson didn’t even bother to move, didn’t even elect to display any sort of emotion.
Instead, she simply took a moment, sat still, and basked in the glory of the moment, an awe-inspiring, mostly tear-jerking juncture she undoubtedly will cherish for the rest of her life.
“When they called his name, I think time just stood still and, in that moment, I was just like, ‘You did it, buddy. You beat every obstacle thrown your way,’” said Ferguson, when asked what went through her mind after her son, Kelsey Kendel Caldwell Jr.’s name was called to receive his diploma during Dallas Bishop Lynch High School’s commencement exercises last weekend.
As part of Making Headline News’ Annual Salute To Graduate Tributes for 2023, Ferguson acknowledged that more than anything, witnessing her son achieve arguably his grandest milestone to date was an awe-inspiring, life-altering moment she senses will empower to his younger brother to broaden his horizon, thus make his dream a reality.
MAKING MAMA PROUD
“I’m super proud of Kelsey. His setting such a good example,” Ferguson said.
And what fascinating journey it has been for Caldwell Jr., a multi-sport student athlete who starred for Bishop Lynch’s lacrosse, football, and track and field squads.
KISS OF SUCCESS
To his credit, Caldwell Jr. was just as resourceful in the classroom, where he carved out a cumulative grade point average of 3.8, all the while serving as a chaplain and as a member of the school’s choir.
A little less than a week removed from having acquired his high school diploma, Caldwell Jr. is now eager to assume another illustrious title: Morehouse Man.
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Caldwell chose Morehouse College — a private historically black men’s liberal arts college in Atlanta — over Texas Tech, Abilene Christian, Hardin Simmons, the University of Alabama, the University of Missouri, and Michigan State University, among others.
As of 2018, Morehouse is the No. 1 institution of all types for producing the most black male Rhodes Scholars, according to U.S. News & World Report.
According to Ferguson, Caldwell Jr. plans to pursue dual undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering.
“After graduation, I think I went through a little early separation anxiety…empty nest syndrome just knowing that he has finally crossed that road and heading into manhood and mama can’t be there to hold his hand anymore,” Ferguson said of her son’s forthcoming departure from the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the fall. “I’ll miss him tremendously when he goes away. He’s like the little old man that makes sure everything is done around the house.”
Nevertheless, Ferguson still can’t help but embrace arguably her son’s biggest achievement to date, one that left her literally speechless some five days ago.
For all the right reasons, too.
“Sky’s the limit for him because he has always set his sights and goals pretty high and exceeded expectations,” Ferguson said. “I just want him to know that no matter what he decides to do in life, always be a man of your word, stand firm on what you believe, and always give it 110 percent at anything you do. Be bold, be courageous, be your best.”
All the while assuming that elite title: Morehouse Man.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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