The Deshon Johnson First Annual College Scholarship Dinner Fundraising Pictures

The Deshon Johnson First Annual College Scholarship Dinner Fundraising Pictures

Article written by staff

On March 5, 2014, The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation held its first Annual Fundraising Dinner. The foundation awarded Montclair High School (Maryann Wasko), Kean University (James Gurland), and Essex County College (Coleen Porcher) with a check for the Deshon Johnson Memorial Scholarship. Certificates of proclamation were given to each representative for working with Naomi Johnson to start an honorable scholarship to carry on the memory of her only son, Deshon Johnson.

Naomi also recognized Bob Russo, Deputy Mayor for his dedication, support, and community leadership. The Mayor of Montclair received the plaque on his behalf.  Dr. Milchaman for the dedication and motherly love she displayed for Deshon and Naomi.  Essex County President,Gale Gibson received a plaque for recognizing, approving,and signing off on  Deshon Johnson’s Posthumous certificate degree. This is for the first time ever in thehistory of the school. There have been other loved ones who wanted their child be honored with their degree after their demise but the board of community never approved the Posthumous degree. Dean of Students, Elvy Viereira received a plaque for her unwavering support and pushing the community to acknowledge Deshon Johnson with his certificate degree.

We would like to thank our motivational speakers for delivering a powerful message about Deshon and the tragic incident, his characteristics, education and also raising awareness about some bus drivers ending lives.   Rosemarie D'Alessandro who started the Joan's Law gave a moving speech about being a parent activist after the loss of their child life taken by the hand of another human being and how to get laws changed for the safety of others. Also, how to communicate with grieved mother. Sharita McNair, shared on education and safety. Ifarike shared who Deshon was as a person, how he was a well-rounded gentlemen, and what he had to contribute to the world.  We like to thank The Deshon Johnson Memorial recipient Malik Wright for giving a lovely speech about how the scholarship money changed his life and helped him with his education.

Last but not least, we would like to thank Noneillah Entertainment for their performer's Max and our hip hop gospel artist J Prophet for putting on a great performances. DJ Jamal Hall for providing music and sound. Noneillahstore vendor for selling their products and support. 

Big warm thanks for the Essex County College team for buying a whole table and showing Ms Johnson and Deshon their monetary and physical support. 

The event was delightful, emotional, entertaining, heartfelt and inspiring for all who attended. Naomi anticipated 40 guest for her first annual event; however, there were 57 people in attendance showing their support to this remarkable young man Deshon Johnson and his mother. As well as to this worthwhile foundation that will pave a way for the next college student’s financial need. In addition to, enlighten and raise awareness about the increasing number of innocent people losing their lives in the hands of some reckless bus drivers.

I give my deep apology for not announcing Montclair’s Mayor Robert  D Jackson for his presence and accepting The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation plaque on the behalf of Montclair's Deputy Mayor Bob Russo. 

Naomi Johnson and The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation like to thank everyone for supporting the foundation and remembering Deshon on his 24th birthday March 5th. 

This picture of Deshon was taken  by his photographer Saamiya Ile.

Since Deshon was compassionate about music we made the theme of the event music. Inside the thank you cards there were several of pictures of him along with charms of a microphone and music notes. Deshon was a hip hop artist went by the name Sean Cos Mason (Noneillah). You can hear his music on various music sites, such as MTV, Rap Genius, All Hip hop Community, 
Celebrity worth, YouTube and many more.  

  The pictures from the event were taken by Elijah and Descha.

Hip Hop Gospel Artist Performer J Prophet doing his thing. 

He had the people moving in their seats.

Rosemarie D'Alessandro  

Dehon's godmother and president of 

The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation Desheca 

Marie

DJ Jamal

Tamara 

The president of The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Tamara awarding  

Maryann Wasko from Montclair High School 

with a check and certificate of proclamation

Tamara awarding James Gurland from Kean University with a scholarship check 

and certificate of proclamation.

Tamara giving Dean of Students Elvy Viereira a check  and certificate of proclamation 

on the behalf of Coleen Porcher from Essex County College. 

Rosemarie accepting The Deshon Johnson First Annual College Scholarship 

certificate for participating the event as our guest speaker.

Dr. Milchman and Mr. Milchman

Patrick Reid

J Prophet performer

Videographer Tolu Omisore

Motivational Speaker Sharita McNair

Beautiful President Gale Gibson from Essex County College and her staff

Deshon's Johnson mother Naomi giving a heartwarming closing as her nephew 

Matthew standing on her left and her son's best friend/brother standing toward her right.

Desheca's mother and Naomi godmother.

Deshon's friend came and show support and remember their friend on his 24th birthday.

Lovely gentleman Joseph, Master of Ceremony and Secretary/Treasure of 

The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship 

These beautiful ladies is from Essex County College came to show their support.

Deshon's mother broken down in tear's talking about the tragic lost of her child and no one is being held accountable for his demise

 Matthew, Deshon's best Tamara and  Ifarike.

The first college scholarship recipient  Malik Wright who was award with

 The Deshon Johnson Memorial Scholarship from Montclair High School.

Susan Little president of The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation

Osunyoyin Alake Ifarike guest speaker

James (left) and Matthew (right) are a member of The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation. Theo (middle) Deshon's best friend and at the end Naomi Johnson Deshon's mother.

Chris. Deshon's cousin.

Denna and Theo.

J Prophet, Malik Wright and his pastor Glenard Child.

Max Mack one of Deshon's friend playing instrument music.

Deshon's best friends/brothers and cousin. Theo, Matthew and James giving their

 support to their brother/friend Deshon.

Nia

Malik Wright The Deshon Johnson Memorial recipient 

The lovely ladies of Montclair High School.

The room of  people who came to give Naomi and her son Deshon support.

Dr. Milchman  and Judith consoling Naomi as she is crying over her son.

Deshon's mother with Anna Deshon's friend.

Nia and Naomi, Deshon's mother.

Naomi, Deshon's mother and Denna.

Far left Nia, Matthew, Naomi and Theo

Myeshia, Naomi, Anna and Theo

Myeshia, Naomi and Anna.

Freak, Naomi Donta, Matthew. Deshon's cousin and mother.

Chase, Naomi and Justin. Deshon's friend Chase

and Justin came out to show their support.

Deshon's cousin Freak, Diggz, Chris and Matthew. Deshon's mother in the middle.

Justin lady friend, Ms. Johnson and Justin.

Naomi and Rosemarie share the same passion to fight for justice. Also, fight to pass laws that resulted from the demise of their child Deshon and Joan. Deshon was killed by 62 year old Wilsome Romain Coach USA bus driver jumping the curb knocking Naomi son down and dragged him 50 to 100 feet to his demise operating a NJ Transit bus 709. The bus driver was not arrested, charged with Deshon's demise nor was he tested for substance.

Rosemarie daughter Joan was killed 40 years ago selling Girl Scout’s cookie to neighbor. Rosemarie became a parent activist to fight for a law to stop Girl Scout from going door to door selling cookies. Rosemarie fought for Joan's Law to be passed.

Naomi, Rosemarie and her son.

Tamara

Anna, Naomi and Judith.

Naomi and Judith

Judith

Naomi

Naomi and Essex County College's staffs.

Sharita McNair guest speaker is holding the Deshon Johnson College Scholarship 

certificate of proclamation

Motivational speaker and Naomi

Naomi is trying to hold back her tears and reframing from break down and 

cry as she giving a speech about the justice of her son's case.

Essex County College Dean of Students Elvy Viereira 

Naomi, Desheca, Susan and Tin.

Deshon's mother and James mother.

Naomi and Tin

The Deshon Johnson Foundation member and Deshon's friend Theo.

Naomi and Tamara 

Deshon's mother and cousin Elijah.

Naomi and her cousin Elijah standing by son's picture.

Essex County College President Dr. Gibson holding 

The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation plaque.

Dr. Milchman  holding 

The Deshon Johnson College Scholarship Foundation plaque.

Two mothers,  Naomi and Rosemarie, fighting for the same cause... justice for their children whose  lives ended  at the hand of another human being who had no value  for life. Naomi is wearing two picture necklaces. One is a picture of her son, Deshon, and the other is a picture of her and her son happy together. Rosemarie has a necklace of a butterfly which symbolizes her daughter, Joan.

Should you want to help make a difference in changing laws to have some of these reckless bus driver be held accountable for ending innocent people's lives, please click this link and sign the petition on change.org http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-reckless-aggressive-and-rude-bus-drivers-from-carelessly-taking-young-innocent-lives-like-deshon-johnson. Please spread the  word. 

As a birthday gift to Deshon Johnson you can sign the petition, contact your local newspaper, talk show, assemblyman/woman and state senator to raise awareness about this serious matter. This will be a wonderful birthday gift from you to Deshon Johnson. Together we can make a difference for changes to happen!

On the behalf of Deshon Johnson and the foundation, we thank you for your signature and support.

In Honor of Desho's 24^th Birthday

It is not too late to invest and make a difference in our youth's educational goals or be a part of this worthwhile foundation. You can make a generous donation by clicking the gofundme link http://www.gofundme.com/1orzj4