Former Sulphur Springs Mayor, J.D. Franklin, served as the Master of Ceremonies
for the 19th Annual MLK Awards Celebration, at Morning Chapel Baptist Church.
Annual MLK Awards Honors Those Who
Live The King Legacy in Our Community
by: Bobby McDonald
Sister Della Robinson delivered her usual, outstanding rendition of
"God Bless America," to open Monday night's ceremonies.
It was a night of reflection on the ideals that Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. instilled in the minds of those who knew him, and a night of making certain that his ideal continue to inspire and reflect changes in our community, as the 19th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Ceremony unfolded, on Monday night. This year's event, at Morning Chapel Baptist Church, was before a huge crowd, and compared to the rather "humble" beginnings, of a gathering of 29 people at the East Caney Baptist Church, ninteen years ago. "It denotes our progress in this community," expressed Rev. M. LaVelle Hendricks. "It certainly wasn't for lack of 'fire power' in that first assembly, as we were inspired by Dr, Talbert, who had babysat Rev. King, as a child. It's that our community has truly grown over the years, and we have honored over 1,000 Hopkins County citizens for living the King legacy in this community!"
Coach Nicole Anderson, Women's Basketball Coach at Texas A&M University- Commerce,
challenged those in attendance at Monday night's MLK Awards Ceremony, to use their
God given talents to make a difference.
A special treat was enjoyed by those in attendance, at Monday night's event, when keynote speaker, Coach Nichole Anderson, Women's Basketball Coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce, came to the podium. Anderson began by telling us that she would focus on the "HAVE" in King's famous "I Have A Dream" speech. She recalled that King took "ownership" of the dream that he had and fully expected the legacy that was bigger than him, to live on!
"H is for Hope for the community, children and world, for each of us to unify and care about each other," stated Anderson. "It's also for Humility, that Dr. King exemplified in his life and mission, and for the Hunger that he had for change in the world he lived in."
"A is for Anticipation that change would come," continued Anderson. "He was Anxious for that change and realized it was time for a change of people's ideals and ideas. And, he had the Assurance from his faith in God, that change would come, a Blessed Assurance."
"The V stands for his vision, to see a goal that was reachable and attainable," spoke Anderson. "And, he knew that Victory was available, if only we upheld his ideals, as he went about the mission with Veracity!"
"E is for the Enthusiasm he has for both the mission and the goal," closed Anderson. "He Embraced change and was willing to Endure to make it happen, even giving his life in the process!"
"So, I 'HAVE' A Dream for this community, and this world," declared Anderson. "We all have to have a dream that we can join together and make a difference, as we go about doing the things that God intended for us to do! I noticed that in the past week, this community has set a goal of $25,000.00 to raise for relief in Haiti. That goal is surely attainable, as all it would take would be for every man, woman, and child, in Hopkins County, to give up one soda pop, and donate the money to the effort! That's certainly something we all could do and make a difference, a difference, that God intends for us to do! We've all been given talents and God expects us to use them in helping our fellow man!"
"Hopkins County's goal of $25,000.00 for the Haiti Relief Fund can easily be reached and exceeded, if only every man, woman, and child in the county would 'give-up' a soda pop, and donate it to the effort!" stated Coach Anderson. "God provides a way for each of us to help our fellow man!"
Rev. M. LaVelle Hendricks introduced each of the 2010 MLK Award winners, as they
were presented medals.
Following Coach Anderson's motivational speech, 37 individuals from the Greater Hopkins County area were honored, for the living of Dr. King's legacy. They included:
Spiritual - Gyeula Watson
Political - Kerry Wright
Education - Della Robinson
Medical - Dr. Reginald Cole
Visionary Award - Superintendent Nelson Gatlin
Spirit of Loyalty - Lonita Moore
Humanitarian - Dr. Darrell Pierce
Spirit of Dependability - T.C. Abron
Social Change - Pam Clayton
Legacy of King - W. C. Pryor
Sheriff Butch Adams recieved the MLK County Award; W.C. Pryor was named for the "Legacy of King"Award;
and Roy and Yvonne King received the "Family of the Year"Award.
Mia Taylor receives her "Youth of the Year" Award from Deacon Henley.
Spirit of Service - Edwin Thomas
Spirit of Fellowship - Tiffney Spigner
Choice of Excellence - Debra Berry
Minister of the Year - Rev. Barry Stribling
Youth of the Year - Mia Taylor
Family of the Year - Roy and Yvonne King
Music - Destiny Wade
Justice Award - William Howard McDowell
Evangelism - Pearl Pogue
Church of the Year - Greater Emmanuel Baptist Church
Freedom Award - John Hipkins
Encouragement - Zack Spigner
Promise-Land Award - Vicki Newsom
Faithfulness - Karmon Wright
Business - V.F. Factory Outlet
MLK Media - Don Julian
KSST News Director, Don Julian, received the Media Award for 2010.
MLK Employer of the Year - Owens Country Sausage
Employees of the Year - Celesia Smith, Melvin Bell, Carolyn Neal
Law Enforcement - Milton Phifer
Spirit of Dedication - Myia Debase
King's Wife Award - Joyce Young
Spirit of Commitment - Margaret Henley
MLK Man of the Year - Burke Bullock
MLK Woman of the Year - Lonzell B. Stigers
MLK County Award - Sheriff Butch Adams
MLK City Award - Craig Johnson
MLK People of the Year - 2-1-1 Can Help
Deacon Lester Henley presents the Law Enforcement Award to Milton Phifer, as Rev. Cordell Jackson
looks on.
Mrs. Gyeula Watson receives her "Spiritual" Award from Rev. Cordell Jackson.
In closing remarks, Dr. Hendricks expressed his sincere thanks to Alliance Bank for their continued annual support of helping to underwrite, the MLK Awards. "I repeatedly go to Tom Sellers, and they've supported this effort from its infancy, many, many years ago," stated Hendricks. "And, they continue to uphold the ideals and promote Dr. King's legacy in this community, with their continued support!"
Tom Sellers and Keith Shurtleff, with Alliance Bank, longtime supporters of the local MLK event,
visit with those at Monday night's reception.
Longtime friends and Monday night award winners, Della Robinson and Yvonne King,
embrace and visit during Monday night's reception.
Monday night's ceremonies closed with everyone attending a reception in the fellowship hall of Morning Chapel Baptist Church, where everyone visted and congratulated all of the award winners!
The combined choirs of several churches provided beautiful music selections, throughout the program.
And, the Praise Dance Team from East Caney Baptist Church offered this
selection, during the ceremonies.
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