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AUGUST 4, 2018 Stay connected
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MAKING HISTORY DeKalb resident named FAMU’s first female drum major By Valerie J. Morgan
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ori Renee Bostic, a Southwest DeKalb High School alumna (2016), has made history as the first female drum major in the 72-year legacy of Florida A&M University. Bostic, a junior who is a broadcast journalism and honors major, was named among the three newest drum majors of the university’s world-renowned “Marching 100 Band.” FAMU Director of Bands Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., announced the other two new drum majors: Marquel Bowen, a public relations scholar, and Joshua Honore, a music education scholar, both of whom are from Miami Gardens, Florida. “Our band leaders represent the diversity, dedication and academic prowess of our band scholars,” Chipman told FAMU’s campus newspaper. “We are excited about the opportunity to electrify Rattler
fans/supporters near and far, as we also prepare to march in the January 1, 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.” Lenise Bostic said she and her husband, Cory Bostic, were ecstatic to learn of their daughter’s leadership appointment in FAMU’s Marching 100. “We have received so many calls,” said Lenise Bostic. Everyone is so invigorated by her appointment. It is such an inspiring story. To have something like this come to life is the best thing that could happen for any parent on earth.” Lenise Bostic said her daughter tried out for drum major last year, but wasn’t selected. “She learned from that experience and went to work. They told her that she needed more upperbody strength and she got a personal trainer and worked out,” Lenise Bostic said. Cori Bostic, who plays piccolo and oboe, hails from a family of eight kids, all of whom are musicians. Bostic’s mother, a
Cori Renee Bostic, center, poses with her parents at FAMU Homecoming game. Photo via Facebook
principal with the Atlanta Public School System, plays piccolo and her father, who is band director at Lithonia Middle School, plays trumpet. Both parents played in FAMU’s Marching 100 Band. Lenise Bostic credits James Sada, band director at Southwest DeKalb High School, and Steven Cooper, who was assistant band director when her daughter was there, for molding Cori and preparing her for FAMU. Both, Sada and Copper, played in FAMU’s Marching 100 Band, Lenise Bostic said. “Cori won band and academic scholarships to FAMU. She played
piccolo in the marching band and oboe in the wind symphonic band. We have to give a lot of credit to her band directors at Southwest DeKalb High School for encouraging her,” Lenise Bostic said. In addition to her musical pursuits, Cori Bostic played basketball at Southwest DeKalb, where served as team captain and won two championship games, her mother said. Cori played basketball during her freshman year at FAMU as well. “She just crossed Delta Sigma Theta. She is also a member of Tau Beta Sigma, national honorary band sorority,” Lenise Bostic said.
Land cleared for Rockdale Technology Park By Valerie J. Morgan
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onstruction crews are clearing a 92-acre tract for a 1 million-squarefoot technology park that will be built along Dogwood Drive on the northern side of I-20 in Rockdale County. Ackerman & Co. of Atlanta is developing the Rockdale Technology Park. The $50 million project will include four buildings that will be suitable for manufacturers, distribution/warehouse industries, administrative offices, recycling companies and others, said Marty Jones, executive director of the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council. “This is an absolutely good fit for Rockdale County,” Jones said. “It is going to bring industries and jobs. Ackerman is a top-notch real estate development company. They have a pipeline of potential customers to fill these spaces. Their marketing ability is unsurpassed.” Jones said construction crews are expected to break ground by late September or early October on the first building. The 135,000-squarefoot building is expected to be completed by March 2019, followed by a 185,000-square-foot building. A third building will encompass 135,000 square feet and the fourth
Photos by Glenn L. Morgan
building will encompass 550,000 square foot. Jones said the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council has been working with Ackerman to bring the project to fruition. “They(Ackerman) started talking with owners about buying the property about 15 months ago. We worked with Rockdale County
government to make sure the permitting got done,” said Jones. Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman said at a recent BOC meeting that he was pleased Ackerman chose Rockdale, saying he is excited about the potential jobs that would come to the county as a result of the development.
Jones said he expects there will be some 500 jobs “across the whole spectrum” from the development. “I think that most of the jobs will be filled by locals—people who live in Rockdale and 20 to 30 minutes away. I think that we have the talent to fill blue collar and white collar jobs that industries in the new park will need,” Jones said.