BY LANCE GAITHER

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

For almost 20 years, the McDonald’s Black History Makers of Today program has celebrated diversity and young leaders by awarding scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, scholarship and community service. Danville High School senior Lamont Doneghy has been named the local recipient of this year’s award. He was nominated for the scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, by Library Media Specialist Laura Eason.

“I’m grateful to have been picked and that Ms. Eason nominated me and saw that in me,” Doneghy said.

Doneghy, who plays saxophone in the DHS band, has a passion for music and teaching music. Although he is undecided on where he will attend college, he said he plans to major in  music education.

“He is a fine young man in every way,” Eason said. “He shows all the time his willingness to be a leader, especially in music. He is a both a leader on how to play music and has even directed a concert at the same time he was playing. He mentors younger music students and helps them improve. He has a quiet way about him that leads by example of always trying to do the right thing. He always keeps up with the assignments in all his classes and just excels.”

Doneghy has been playing music for six years and can play the guitar as well as the saxophone and is learning to play the piano.

“I occasionally help sixth, seventh and eighth graders produce their tone and sounds on their instruments. Whatever they need help with I do,” Doneghy said “I’ve always known that I want to be a music teacher since I first started playing. The band director and music teacher Jeff Towns has been a big influence. The way he interacts with us and finds us challenging pieces that are fun to learn.”

The McDonald’s Black History Makers of Today scholarship seeks to allow McDonald’s franchise owners to give back to their communities.

“When you own and operate stores in your community you want to show that McDonald’s it not just a burger business,” Abby Tamme, owner of the Danville McDonald’s franchise, told WKYT. “We want to show that we give back to the community when they give back to us. It’s a great balance and always a good thing to help students who reach their goals.”