About 300 people crowded around tables to dine and hear speakers Friday night at the the 25th annual Greenwood Voters League banquet.
The banquet, held at the Leflore County Civic Center, celebrates the creation and existence of the Voters League, which was founded in 1966 during the civil rights struggle.
The first banquet was held in 1980 at Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, according to Barbara Gray, who gave the welcome on Friday evening.
This banquet pleased most everyone, from the surprise college scholarship awarded to 10-year-old Chela Stamps by guest speaker Frank Melton to a presentation to Voters League President David Jordan by the Greenwood City Council.
During the program, Voters League members recognized those of their own who died during the year by the lighting of candles in an arrangement adjacent to the dais.
Those honored by name included the Rev. Charlie Biles, former chaplain for the League, who died in August; Dr. Roosevelt Sisson, a former head of the business department at Mississippi Valley State University, who died in June; and the Rev. Henderson Fields Sr., former pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, who died in August.
Lou Emma Allen, the oldest member of the Voters League, lighted a candle in memory of all friends and supporters who weren't named, but had died during the year.
As banquet-goers dined on baked Cornish hen, green beans, rice pilaf, glazed carrots and desserts served up by Thompson Hospitality of Mississippi Valley State University, the newly formed New Zion Baptist Church Theatrical Guild performed a skit, "The Day of the Lord."
Those attending the banquet also enjoyed the beautiful voices the MVSU Concert Choir, under the direction of Orlando Moss. Among the selections performed by the choir was a vocal arrangement of "Ye Shall Have a Song."
Charles Raines Jr., secretary of the Voters League, presented the organization's $500 scholarship to Kristian Collins, a junior biology major at MVSU with 3.6 GPA.
The scholarship is funded by Jordan. It is awarded each year to a Valley student from the city or county who majors in science and has at least a 2.5 grade point average.
Other awards presented, included one to Alester Biles, widow of the late minister, who was chaplain to the Voters League. She received the plaque from Robert Sims, vice president of the organization.
A special presentation was given by Jordan to Sheriel Perkins, former city councilwoman, for her "dignity, class and personality that is beyond compare," Jordan said.
