Oct 13, 2002 By Paul Sunyak 4 min read

Dr. Joyce Royster-Fullum, whose three-year tenure as principal at Ben Franklin Middle School ended in 2000, made an inspirational return to Fayette County on Saturday as keynote speaker at the 13th Annual Human Rights Dinner hosted by the Fayette County NAACP. Royster-Fullum now works as principal of the inner city Hannah Penn Middle School in York, a job she took this year after deciding to leave a similar position at a more affluent suburban school in that area.

The Gates, German Township, native said she wanted to take on the challenge of turning around a school that is on the state’s watch list. She said it’s important to teach children to meet the challenges of tomorrow today, especially if they have been “disenfranchised” by the educational system.

“If you wait until tomorrow to meet the challenges of today, you will be too late,” Royster-Fullum said to a crowd assembled at the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association building on Route 21. “What life is about is learning to play the game. … Your accomplishments mean something, but your struggles mean more.”

Noting that she was “humbly gratified and honored” to give the keynote address, Royster-Fullum said that despite her many accomplishments, she’s always stayed grounded by remembering her family’s roots, which are shared by many Fayette Countians.

“Most of us have coal miners in our heritage,” said Royster-Fullum. “I’m still a coal miner’s daughter. It doesn’t matter how many titles I have, I’m still Joyce Royster from Gates.”

Learning to live in a diverse society will be one of the big challenges in the next 20 to 35 years, said Royster-Fullum. She added that in her school, 30 percent of students are white, 40 percent are black and 30 percent are Hispanic, and “if you don’t speak Spanish, you’re almost a minority.”

In the next generation or two, the United States will have more people of color than not, which Royster-Fullum referred to as the “browning of America.” This makes it incumbent for educators to understand the importance of diversity and of having high expectations for all students, she said.

Royster-Fullum noted proudly that Uniontown High School’s “Dream Team” that made it to the state championship basketball game two of the past three years was comprised of students who were “my babies” in 1997 when she came to Ben Franklin.

Royster-Fullum said she had high expectations for that group, mandating that they earn at least a “C” average instead of the “D” that was acceptable for WPIAL athletic eligibility. “I insisted that those young men become winners,” said Royster-Fullum, who recalled the day that they all made the honor roll after rising up to meet her challenge.

Self-esteem is critically important for youngsters, said Royster-Fullum, who urged adults to be good role models and to actively encourage children to excel.

“Children can’t do anything unless they feel good about themselves every day,” said Royster-Fullum. “Don’t let someone tell you that you can’t be the first in your class, or that you can’t go to Harvard.”

When poverty is rampant, as in her current school district, Royster-Fullum said that students need somebody to say, “Come on, you can do it.”

She gave the audience tips on how to achieve success in life, including the eight “Ds” of discipline, desire, determination, dedication, dependability, a “do it” attitude, reacting to desperation and devotion to God.

She also urged people to choose joy over depression. “Choose today to perceive yourself as a joyful person. … First, choose joy,” said Royster-Fullum.

The NAACP also honored several retired and active distinguished educators at the banquet: Dorothy Lee Boone, Dorothy N. Dantzler, Dr. Herman B. Jackson, Robert A. Lewis, the Rev. Sandra McCain, Jessica S. Martin, Andrea Lynette Michaux, the Rev. Dewvaul W. Tracy Jr. and Sandra E. Tracy.

McCain, who is retired from Uniontown Area School District, recalled how influential a NAACP acknowledgement was to her as a senior at Redstone High School. She said the monetary award and words of encouragement from the late Dr. Fred L. Vaughns made a lasting impression on her.

“People like Dr. Vaughns encouraged us to go forward,” said McCain, who hoped that chain would continue with future generations.