NAACP Outstanding Student Recognition - Bay County Florida

Dr. Rufus L. Wood, Jr., President, Bay County Branch, NAACP

Cultivating Minds and Harvesting Excellence - Bay County NAACP

By Karen Custer

BAY COUNTY, FL - Bay County NAACP held the 10th Annual Outstanding Student Recognition Program on Saturday, May 18th, at Rosenwald High School. Ms. Jordan Harper, President of the Bay County Youth Council, served as the Mistress of the Order and introduced the Bay High School ROTC Color Guard, who performed the Posting of the Colors. Then a recording of The National Anthem, sung by Whitney Houston, was played.

There was an invocation by Rev. Lawrence Gantt, Pastor, Mt. Olive AME Church, followed by a greeting by Janice Lucas, Panama City Commissioner, Ward 2. Mr. Isaiah Williams, Member, Bay County Youth Council, gave a Welcome and Occasion, followed by Mark McQueen, Superintendent, Bay District Schools. Miss Tori Birdon, Member, Bay County Youth Council, read a poem, followed by a saxophone solo by Rev. Lawrence Gantt. Mr. Matthew Shack, Sr., Chair, Civic Engagement Committee, Bay County NAACP, introduced the main speaker, Captain Billy Carstarphan, Panama City Police Department.

The program then moved on to the main purpose of the event, the Presentation of Awards.

Scholastic Achievement awards were earned by Alannah Evon Marie Rhodes and Sanall Asia. Artistic Expression Awards were awarded to Avery Cruel and JaMari Miller. Athletic Excellence Awards were given to Nicolas Waddell and Shakirah Edwards. Curtis Morgan III and Angelina M. Dudley were recognized for their Community Service and Nada Almobarak and Adrain Matthew Willis for their Faith Based Service. JROTC Service awards were given to Arianna Harris and Save’On Larry.

Several students were not present during the Program but will receive their awards later.

Closing Remarks were given by Dr. Rufus L. Wood, Jr., President, Bay County Branch, NAACP