Forrest Ward Racial Equity Award

In May of 2025 RARE presented its annual Forrest Ward Racial Equity Award to two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving the racial climate at RHS.  The award was named after Forrest Ward, a former student athlete, coach and mentor to four generations of Roosevelt families.  Each winner received an honorary plaque and a $100 contribution from RARE to a school-related organization of their choice. The awards were presented to student Paki Crawford and counselor Courtney Judkins at the annual Moving Up all-school assembly. They received a robust ovation from the attendees, demonstrating how much respect the RHS student body and staff had for the winning individuals and their contributions to Roosevelt.

In the early Spring of each year RARE reaches out to the Roosevelt community to seek nominations of students, educators, or organizations who have made noteworthy contributions toward creating a climate of racial equity and who have made a positive impact on the overall racial atmosphere at RHS and its community.  Sample actions to be considered might include:

• Defusing a racially charged situation
• Instituting a change in policy that positively impacted inequity
• Pointing out disparities
• Contributing to the success of POC students or staff
• Beginning an organization that positively impacts POC students
• Instituting programs that bring together racially diverse groups
• Being a role model for how to promote racial equity and inclusion
• Helping provide services and resources to POC students and families

The nominations are reviewed and winners selected by the RARE Scholarship and Awards Committee and presented at an all school assembly at the end of the school year.

Forrest Ward

RARE named this award for Forrest Ward ‘76, a beloved student, coach and mentor, whose life and work embodied the promotion of racial equity long before such actions were widely recognized.  During his time at RHS Forrest positively influenced four generations of families. He received awards for his athleticism as a student and accolades from parents and students as a mentor and coach.  Through his dedication of time and commitment to the students, Forrest motivated students to believe in themselves and thrive.  Due to his unselfish generosity many economically-challenged students were able to participate in interscholastic sports.  Forrest believed that every student had potential and didn’t want to see them denied an opportunity for growth just because they could not afford to participate in athletics. Shortly before his passing in 2015, Ward was inducted into the Roosevelt High School Sports Hall of Fame, an award he would have loved to share with his deceased brother Wendell, RHS ’79, a student athlete, coach and Children’s Home counselor. The two brothers exemplified what it means to be family both on the field and off.

AWARD WINNERS of the Forrest Ward Racial Equity Award

2025

• Paki Crawford, senior, was recognized for helping to create a caring and inspiring environment and encouraging his peers to be inclusive, both on the athletic field and in the classroom. He is a acknowledged leader among his peers.  A star football player, Paki was injured and unable to play all year but nevertheless, attended every game, encouraging and leading his teammates from the sidelines.  His leadership was also visible in the classroom where he is an excellent student, focusing on his studies but also eager to support his peers.

• Counselor and Black Student Union advisor Courtney Judkins was honored for work in creating safe spaces for all students to share concerns. Students really open up to her and are comfortable conveying challenging personal experiences.  She is known as a great listener and does so without judgment. Noticing that a large number of students of color and their families were not attending after school events, she launched the first POC Family Night to create a more welcoming space for families to learn how their students could best be supported at RHS.

Previous Forrest Ward Racial Equity Award Winners

2024 — Student Amanuel Woldemedhen, Student Lawson Bailey, Teacher Erin Bailey