Apalachicola native recognized by local group

The Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H’COLA) recognized this past Saturday, Nov 5, Apalachicola native Myrtis Wynn for her services to the local African-American community.

Family, friends, and members of the community gathered at a surprise reception held in Wynn’s honor at the city’s recreation center located on 6th street.

Wynn U.S. Army retired lists her residence in Hephzibah, GA, but frequently travels back to the community where she grew up to provide much-needed services to the city’s most vulnerable the young and elderly.

Wynn stated during the reception that after attending a local high school graduation ceremony where African-American graduates received less recognition for academic achievements, she decided right then that the situation couldn’t happen again.

To address the imbalance, Wynn founded Project HOPE of Franklin County and through the program, she created what she calls her Math, Science, and Technology Club. The Club’s goal is to help local African-American students earn better grades and to steer them toward careers involving the use of math, science and technology.

At her own expense, Wynn arranges for high school seniors to tour the campuses of Tallahassee Community College (TCC), Lively Technical Center, and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) all in the Tallahassee area as well as Gulf Coast Community College campus in Panama City.

In addition to campus tours, the students learn through the Math, Science, and Technology Club how to build and test Ethernet computer cables, and how to make an electromagnet using a 9-volt battery, magnet wire and a nail. Wynn also created a Jeopardy game with ACT/FCAT questions to help the high school students with the college entry exam.

To further drive the point, Wynn brings together both local and former successful Apalachicola African-Americans to host an annual career day for the students.

A stunned but exuberant Wynn received a host of gifts and spoken words from family and friends all gathered to pay her tribute. She received a key to the city and a Mayors Proclamation of Appreciation from Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson, a certificate of appreciation and gift bag from District 3 school board member Teresa Ann Martin, a plaque and gift card from former District 3 county commissioner Clarence Williams, and a plaque and gift cards from the H’COLA group.

Through Project HOPE of Franklin County, Wynn also hosts an annual Christmas party for Apalachicola African-American seniors, where the seniors work together with middle school students to make Christmas wreaths.

Wynn’s appreciation was the brainchild of H’COLA member Soudra Davis, owner of Davis Child Development Center in Apalachicola.

Photos by Elinor Mount-Simmons
& Deanna Simmons