Liz Beavers
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER - Draetius “Drae” Marcel Allen is the 76th recipient of Keyser High School’s Jonah Edward Kelley Award.
In a COVID-affected ceremony where facemasks, a limited audience, and no guest speaker were the order of the day, Allen more than made up for the lack of a motivational speaker with his own emotional tribute to Ed Kelley and heartfelt thankyou to coaches, teachers, friends and family.
“This day is not about us,” he said of himself and fellow nominees Darrick Broadwater and Bradley Sommers, explaining that the day was in honor and tribute to KHS graduate Jonah Edward Kelley, whom he called “a prime example of sacrifice.”
KHS announces 2021 Kelley nominees
Liz Beavers
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER - Keyser High School has announced the three nominees for the 2021 Jonah Edward Kelley Award - Draetius Marcell Allen, Darrick Harmon Broadwater and Bradley Ryan Sommers.
The Kelley Award is named in memory of Keyser High School graduate Jonah Edward Kelley, who lost his life while defending his men during an ambush near Kesternich, Germany, during World War II. Kelley was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions.
Nominees for the award are three young men who have excelled academically and athletically, and have demonstrated integrity, dignity, and honor throughout their high school careers. Nominees must also have played either football or basketball - the two sports which Kelley played while a student at Keyser.