# 43 Vocabulary Building

# 43 Vocabulary Building

By

Vernon M. Herron

Word power is indispensable. It helps one to articulate ideas, communicate concepts, it helps in mental gymnastics, social networking and in the increase of earning power. There are many sources for vocabulary building. Hearing and learning words from each other is a common source. I like words. It fascinates me to hear words used in unique expressions. Word power is star power, either written or spoken. Either way, always check the spelling, pronunciation and definition.



Last week, it was rather refreshing to hear and read about three words, “awesome,” “crestfallen,” and “gentrification,” and to note the users of those words. That is what this writing is all about. Meet three distinguished friends of mine and their use of a descriptive and sometimes an emotional word.

Simeon Ray


Simeon is my five year old friend. He and I were born on the same date. He is a bright kindergarten pupil at River Oaks Academy in Charlotte, NC. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kwasi Ray and the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hendricks.



Simeon’s distinguished grandmother, Mrs. Barbara Hendricks can best tell the story of his word use.



“Having spent last week-end in the NC mountains, the grandsons---enjoyed the 3-D pictures during the evening hours in the hotel. One night Simeon was viewing some of the pictures and exclaimed loudly, ‘this is AWESOME!’ We all chuckled at that, as we were not aware that ‘awesome’ was a part of his vocabulary.”



I remember the first time hearing the word ‘awesome.’ I had just finished preaching as a guest preacher in a stately Philadelphia church. When the pastor’s wife was approaching me, I wondered what she would say, and it was, “the sermon was awesome.” Checking the definition, I found it to mean ‘inspiring.’ I thank you madam and especially Simeon.

Steve Johnson


Referring to a previous published blog, Steve Johnson, Media Specialist for The Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum (Charlotte, NC) wrote, “my first reaction was to be crestfallen…but on reflection, I’m delighted…”



It is not strange to note Mr. Johnson’s use of the word “crestfallen” because he is a journalist by training and experience. But this is an opportunity for me to describe how this multi-talented person is so human and is a “servant for all.”



“Steve” as he is affectingly called, is a native of Delaware but has been a Charlottean since 1978. His noteworthy achievement was serving as Executive Director of the Swann Fellowship during the time that the Fellowship published EDUCATEL, a weekly journal on Charlotte-Mecklenburg public education.



But the real soul of Steve Johnson can be seen any Tuesday morning when he is in action. He:


- Serves as refreshment coordinator. (Prepares coffee and refreshments)
- Offers the morning prayer when asked.
- Computerizes and distributes the minutes.
- Provides visual aid on demand.
- Publishes community service announcements and much more.



We all love Steve Johnson and his ‘crestfallen’ word.

Donnell Sheppard


Donnell recently wrote the following, “I spoke to a friend about ‘gentrification’ taking place in south Philly…(I remembered you using that word when I was a teenager.)”



How gratifying it is to note that a thriving citizen still remembers a word he heard from me when he was a teen ager. “Gentrification” is the word; it is the process of a middle-class people migrating into a nearby center city, low income, deteriorating neighborhood and rehabilitating the same at a cost which prevents the original homeowners from reclaiming the said property for community living; and that is economic ostracizing.



Gentrification is taken place in most metropolitan area where low income people live. Generally, it is near the down town area with transportation and necessary city services. This is a ‘wake-up’ call word which should call the electorate to action.



Donnell Sheppard is a Government Analyst in the Corporate Accounts Department of Shire Pharmaceuticals. He earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Temple University. He is married with a son and lives in Chesterbrook, PA. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he is the Director of its Education Activities. (Right on, my man!)



Little Simeon, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Sheppard remind us of three good words to be used appropriately; AWESOME, CRESTFALLEN, AND GENTRIFICATION.


Thank you!