Keynote speaker, Shaun Rabb, Fox 4 News personality, encouraged Hopkins County Citizens
to "Hold on to Dr. King's Dream and Praise God for the great works that He will do!"
Shaun Rabb Encourages Hopkins County to,
"Hold Onto King's Dream and Praise God!"
by: Bobby McDonald
Pastor M. Lavelle Hendricks relates the history of the MLK Celebration in Hopkins County
that has grown from nine in attendance 21 years ago.
"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be proud of Hopkins County!" declared Shaun Rabb, Keynote Speaker at Monday night's MLK Celebration, held at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. "He would be proud of the expansion of his dream in this community, but he'd also tell you to continue to work on it, and make things even better. The dream has not reached fruition, as long as violence, racism, and inequality continues in this world!"
Rabb asked those in Monday night's audience to continue to "hold onto the dream and give God all the praise and glory!"
"Remember, a dream deferred is not always lost!" warned Rabb. "Dr. King's dream 'took flight' and breathed new life, the moment he died, and look what it has become!"
Dr. Dan Jones, President of TAMU-C served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Working on a divinity degree and telling the audience how God had made a difference in his life, Rabb sited Joseph from the Bible, as a "master dreamer," who dreamed bigger and better than himself, and bore fruit when he saved the nation of Israel, during famine. "But, remember Joseph's own brothers wanted to steal his dream and kill him," related Rabb. "Dreaming big is not without it's pitfalls in life, and the must be bigger than yourself. The master dream is when God uses you as an instrument for his plans and the dream is bigger than you are!"
State Representative Dan Flynn brought greetings.
Lester Henley gave the Occasion.
Judge Chris Brown and Mayor Craig Johnson brought greetings.
The approximately 300 people in attendance at Monday night's celebration enjoyed a wonderful musical presentation provided by the combined Morning Chapel and East Caney Choirs, greetings from State Representative Dan Flynn, County Judge Chris Brown, and Mayor Craig Johnson. Deacon Lester Henley gave the Occasion and Timothy Lavergne II of Bonham presented a praise dance to one of King's speeches. Douglas School students, Danielle Godbolt, SaDavia Porter, and Jeremiah Roland, presented recaps of important lessons that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left for all of us to learn from.
Timothy M. Lavergne II, of Bonham presented a Mime Praise Dance.
Douglas Intermediate Students told of Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream.
Presented with MLK Awards included:
Spiritual Fannie Berry
Freedom Award Hopkins County Veteran's Memorial
Medical Dr. Jean Latortue
Spirit of Loyalty Robin Vaughn
Humanitarian Charlie and Melba Sickles
Spirit of Dependability Sherry Chester
Social Change Ophelia Evans
Legacy of King W.C. Pryor
Spirit of Service Joe McCarty
Spirit of Fellowship Bill Crosby
King's Kids Patricia Godbolt
Spirit of Dependability Peggy Hatcher
Choice of Excellence Vanessa Abron
Minister of the Year C.J. Shelton
MLK Leadership Award M.J. "Mick" Trusty
Youth of the Year Sadarious McGill
Family of the Year Marcus and Kyshia Johnson
Music Mitchell Chapel COGIC Praise Ministry
Evangelism Dr. Rusty Walker
Church of the Year Good News Christian Center
Political Award Judge Yvonne King
Encouragement Loletha Peoples and Karmon Wright
Promise Land Award Callie Young, Mary Vaughn, & Lestene Sewell
Faithfulness Jennifer Mosley & Dorothy Mosley
Business Alliance Bank
MLK Media Jerrod Knight
Employees of the Year Rosetta Deloney, Grace Harris, & Ophelia Young
Law Enforcement Bryan Vaughn
Spirit of Dedication June Roach
King's Wife Award Janet Shelton
MLK Teachers of the Year Cecelia Echols & Kara Argenbright
Spirit of Commitment Betty Moon
MLK Man of the Year Milton Phifer
MLK Woman of the Year Patsy Bolton
Achievement Awards Judge Robert Newsom, Martin Braddy, Cheri Cooper,
Kerry Craig, Rev. Bill Neal, Knight Motorcycle Club,
Yvonne King, and Don Patterson
Monday night's celebration ended with a beautiful rendition of "If I Had a Hammer," and then everyone retired to the fellowship hall, where a reception was held honoring the honorees.
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