This past Saturday afternoon, the Choctaw County High School Alumni Association held its 10th Annual Scholarship and Awards Luncheon, at the Choctaw County Community Center.
According to Dr. I.D. Thompson, CCHSAA President, approximately ten years ago a small group convened a meeting in the home of Grady and Mary Irvin, to plan an appreciation program to honor and celebrate the legacy and sacrifice of all living parents who had struggle to educate their children at the Historic Choctaw County High School. About 100 parents were presented with certificates of appreciation.
Ten years later, the luncheon has emerged as an occasion to not only honor the past, but also to recognize outstanding member of the community and to raise scholarship funds for deserving graduates of Choctaw County School District.
One-hundred percent of the funds raised at the luncheon go to fund the CCHSAA scholarship program that has, to date, awarded more than $18K in scholarships to graduates from Choctaw County High School and French Camp Academy High School.
Saturday’s luncheon began with an invocation from Rev. Michael Simmons, and the singing of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice, followed by a buffet meal prepared by members of the CCHSAA.
One of the highlights of the luncheon was the presentation of Keeper of the Dream Awards in several different categories, as follows: Mandie Kay Vaugh Jeffries, Religion; Dr. Nola Bryant, Education; Tommy Morris Coleman, Community Service; Milton Kennedy, Business; Willie Mae Guillory, Politics; Jana Hunt, Health.
Dr. Thompson spoke to the gathering from Isaiah 40:31 on the subject of Do You Believe You Can Fly? He stated that God has instilled in us a spirit to do something amazing and to inspire the alumni to do something more amazing than what has already been done.
A scholarship banquet will be held at the Choctaw Community Center on May 2 at 6 p.m.
