T.L. Pink association holds annual banquet

The T.L. Pink National Alumni and Ex-Students Association held its 19th annual Holiday Scholarship Banquet at the Wharton Community Civic Center on Dec. 22.

The invocation was given by Rev. Earnest Gillis. Greetings were then offered by Michael Henry Gillis. A solo was sung by Edwin Shelton, who served as master of ceremonies.

Rev. Danny Davis, pastor of Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, was the keynote speaker.

Recognition was given by Alfonso Aldridge, George Aldridge Jr., Alex Boyd, Ollie Gordon, Jo Bessie Coleman Gray, Arvella Houston, Eldonia Norman Jackson, Minnie Ruth Johnson, Ernest "Speaker" King, Rueben Eddie Malone Jr., Carrie Taylor Marks, Jewel Fisher Pleasant, Juanita Coleman- Sanders and by Rev. Robert Watson for Alena Scott during the memorial period.

Receiving scholarships this year are: Kendria Boston, graduate of North Shore High School and daughter of Kenny and Jacqueline Boston Sr. She is attending Prairie View A&M University.

A'Lia' D. Coleman is a graduate of Boling High School and is the daughter of Richard and Alicia Coleman and is attending Wharton County Junior College.

Kristi Yvonne Giles is a graduate of Texas Academy of Leadership in Humanities and is the daughter of Kennedy and Paula Giles. She is attending the University of Houston.

Candice Heard is a graduate of Lamar Consolidated High School and is the daughter of

James and Juanita Heard. She is attending Sam Houston State University.

Amber Nichole Johnson is a graduate of Morton Ranch High School and the daughter of Sharon Moore. She is attending WCJC.

Dyamon Jones is a graduate of Cypress Ridge High School and daughter of Nathaniel Jones and Gwendolyn Haller. She attends the University of Texas.

Whitley Lemons is a graduate of El Campo High School and is the daughter of Timothy and Mildred Williams. She is attending WCJC.

Sharnisha Joni' Malone is a graduate of Hastings High School and is the daughter of

Dorothy Gail Malone. She attends Houston Community College.

Candance Mitchell is a graduate of Wharton High School and the daughter of

Leon and Carolyn Mitchell. She attends Eastern Wyoming College.

Jessica Sherwood is a graduate of El Campo High School and attends WCJC.

Jonezolyn Shorter is a graduate of East Bernard High School and is the daughter of Johnathan and Barba Shorter. She is attending Prairie View A&M.

Julius R. Smith is a graduate of Eisenhower High School and is the son of Janie Smith. He is attending UT.

Ariel Taylor is a graduate of Wharton High School and is the daughter of Rev. Ruiel and Alethea Taylor III. She is attending UT.

Joi Bre-Anna Young is a graduate of Westside High School and the daughter of

Rick and Brenda Leedy. She is attending the University of North Texas and was presented by Vickie Perkins.

The Barbara Tolden-Bryant Health Care Scholarship was announced by Evelyn Tolden Jones. The Jessie Mae Caviel Mathematics Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship Sponsor Program was recognized by Columbus Coleman Jr.

Awards were presented to college graduates Irhonda Howard, D'Undre Phoenix and Moishia Wright by Gennie Allen. Evelyn Tolden-Jones and Brenda Tolden received the distinguished alumni award presented to them by Betty Moreland. Bireline Simmons gave awards to Loretta Craft and George Brooks as honorary lifetime members.

Service awards were presented to Rev. Robert Anderson, Dr. James H. Gray and Josie Hurd.

Belated happy birthday wishes go out to Maleik Moses and Morgan Tyler on Dec. 23; Melvin "Cowboy" Rowe, on Dec. 24; Nanie Ruth Johnson, on Dec. 25; Samantha Lee and Dalney Tyler on Dec. 26; Jackie Bankston on Dec. 29; and Bob Fulton and Dorothy McGregor on Jan. 1.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Katherine Gubbels and Mack Mathis on Jan. 3; Judd Cullers, Trey Coleman and Brenda Andel on Jan. 4; Marjorie Sklar on Jan. 6; and Raymond Harrison on Jan. 8.

Sympathy with prayers are expressed to the Gibson family who lost their loved one Freman Ray Gibson of Wharton on Dec. 19.

Also to the Amos and Norman families who lost their loved one

Chester Amos of Wharton on Dec. 23.

And to the Robertson and Sullivan families on the loss of their loved one Odessa Robertson Sullivan of Houston on Dec. 24.