HarlemLIVE

This year the National Arts Club, a prestigious private membership club whose mission is to foster and preserve the arts, held it's thirty-first annual Award Dinner along with the second annual writing scholarship presentations and I, Ebony Myers was one of the recipients along with Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison.

I felt so honored.

Tuesday evening at approximately 6:15 I was greeted at the NAC headquarters located at the Tilden Mansion on 15 Gramercy Park South by an entourage of Con Edison's Board of Directors.

I did not have a moment to spare as everyone was asking, "Are you Ebony Meyers"? I was escorted to the beverage area were I was deluged by numerous photographers taking pictures of my school principle and myself. When I finally got a break from "posing for the cameras" I took my first picture of the evening with the author of "Beloved" (a haunting tale of a mother, an escaping slave, who loved her daughter so fiercely that she killed her rather than let her to be taken back into bondage by her pursuers. It won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize) Ms. Toni Morrison. I felt so honored.

Toni Morrison                           Ebony Meyers

Later that evening dinner was served in this big, beautiful, banquet room full to capacity. My older sister, Sheila, who accompanied me to the night's event and I were seated in the front area near the podium across from Ms Morrison. Seated with me were Con Edison representatives, and the other student winner Juan Cortes and his family. We feasted on Salmon and asparagus, with over a thousand other people including New York's former Mayor David Dinkins and his wife. After the main course was served the awards ceremony began with the announcement of the winners of the NAC/Con Edison New York High School juniors scholarship award of twenty-five hundred dollars. This scholarship was funded by the National Arts Club and Con Edison and was given to the winners of a thousand word autobiography contest which mine was entitled "E"B"O"N"Y" That's ME!  
When my name was announced I proudly went up to receive my prize from the NAC President Mr. Aldon James Jr. and the Con Edison director. As I was standing at the podium, there were many flashing camera lights and I received many applauds but the most heartfelt congratulations of the evening was that of Ms. Toni Morrison.

Former New York City Mayor, David Dinkins

After that everyone was anxiously awaiting the presentation of Toni Morrisons' award. However, before that happened there were three guests speakers. Peter Carey, Austrian author of six novels, one which won the Booker Prize and was made into a film. Fran Lebowitz, another author and humorist. Her speech was off the top of her head and was extremely funny. The last speaker was John Leonard, Literary Editor, critic, and author of nine books. Other special guests included Paul LeClerc, President of the New York Public Library system and former Mayor Dinkins and his wife.

When the speakers finished, James O. Aldon Jr., President Of The National Arts Club presented Toni Morrison with the Medal of Honor for literature. When she went up to receive her award she was greeted with a standing ovation. This is when she gave her speech. All the cameras was focused upon her visual image and her words. After Ms. Morrisons' remarks in acceptance the night came to an end.
In my opinion, I was honored and surprised at the amount of people who were there. I stayed smiling throughout the entire night. Also, I was given many future job and scholarship opportunities. While standing on the coat check line I received many " Congratulations Ebony" and comments like, "keep on writing" and "Where can I see your work?" I was interviewed by many people. This night was really special and it made me realize what is out there in life and all the things that I can receive.