The Bulletin Board: Local students celebrate graduations, accomplishments

The 2016 Raymond Gaines Scholarship was recently presented to Amber Mercer, a student at Lake Brantley High School during their Annual Senior Awards Night.  
This scholarship is named in honor of the late Raymond Gaines, who was known as a “Man of Integrity”. He worked in the Seminole County Public School System from 1966-2007 in many leadership positions. In his final years of service, he was the Executive Director of High Schools. This is the sixth year that the Raymond Gaines Scholarship has been awarded to a Seminole County graduating senior who will enter the teaching profession.  
Amber has consistently maintained a rigorous course of study and has given back to the community through her volunteer services working with animals; she also volunteers at her church. Amber has always had a passion for teaching; she thrives on helping others to reach their full potential and enjoys seeing their facial expressions when they understand a concept.

Amber plans to attend Rollins College in the fall with a double major in English and Music and a minor in Secondary Education. She aspires to be a High School English and Creative Writing Teacher. Amber is the daughter of Aaron and Lisa Mercer of Longwood. Contributions can be made to the Raymond Gaines Scholarship through The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Inc.

• Aryssa Mobley Pinned in Health Studies  Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL held its Pinning Ceremony for students who will graduate in either the spring, summer or fall of 2016 from its Allied Health Program on Friday, April 29, 2016.  
Sixty-five students were pinned, signifying the completion of their studies and welcoming them to various health professions. Sanford native, Aryssa Mobley, a 2012 graduate of Seminole High School, was among those pinned; her major is Pre-Occupational Therapy. Aryssa, a very gifted young lady, maintained a GPA above a 3.0 throughout her tenure at FAMU.  She is the daughter of Hilton and Kaylia Mobley, the granddaughter of Wayne and Barbara Parker, and the great-granddaughter of the late Mrs. Katie R. Burke.
 “We want Aryssa to know we are very proud of her and wish her the best in her future endeavors”, says her family.

• Final plans are underway for the Midway Reunion to be held at the Midway Community Center (old Midway Elementary School on Jitway Ave.) in November 2016.
A semi-formal banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 from 5-9 p.m. Banquet tickets are $25 per adult (ages 16 and over) and $12.50 for children (ages 2 through 15). Midway Reunion T-shirts can be purchased for $5 for sizes small, medium and large and $7 for sizes XL, 2X and 3X. Please send T-shirt monies to Johnnie Mae Chisolm-Williams; 2471 Church St.; Sanford, FL 32771.  

You may purchase banquet tickets from Planning Committee members: Geraldine Freeman-Wilson (850-942-7417 or 850-567-7526); Sandra McKinney-Duval (407-330-3246); Johnnie Mae Chisolm-Williams (407-323-2580); Lillian Chisolm-Hooks (407-402-1379) and Sharon Long-Blake (813-786-8542). Please make reunion/banquet ticket payments by cashier’s check or money order, payable to Geraldine Freeman-Wilson or Sandra McKinney-Duval. Payments should be accompanied by a Registration Form.  
The deadline to register and make payments, Sept. 30, 2016. Come on Midwayans, let’s make this happen!

• The Sanford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will observe May Week on May 16-21, to celebrate their community service projects with events that are open to the community as follows:
•    Mon., May 16: Career and Business Women Development Workshop at Shower Down of Blessings Church, 201 S. Elm Ave.; Sanford; Rev. Timothy Hudson, Host Pastor; 6-8 p.m.
•    Wed., May 18: Political Process Workshop at the Seminole County Library, 150 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford; 4:30-5:30 p.m. 
•    Thurs., May 19:  Presentation of Delta Sigma Theta’s International Programs and Services at the Seminole County Library, 215 N. Oxford Rd. in Casselberry; 6-7 p.m.
•    Fri., May 20:  Scholarship Awards Banquet at the Patio Grill, 2900 S. Orlando Dr. (US Highway17-92) in Sanford at 7 p.m.  
•    Sat., May 21: Pink Ribbon Tea Talk at the Lake Mary Community Ctr., 140 E. Wilbur Ave., Lake Mary; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  
•    Sat., May 21: Sanford Manor Assisted Living Facility, 1704 W. 9th St., Sanford; visit with residents from 3-4 p.m.
    
• The Word Center, 2680 S. Orlando Drive in Sanford, will present a “Single and Saved Seminar” on Sat., July 9 from 9 a.m.-12 noon. Sessions will include speakers, panel discussions, questions and answers on various topics, i.e., real adult talk about being “Single and Remaining Saved” in today’s world; “Living Single and Satisfied”; “Living Single and Unsatisfied”; “Pressures of the Dating Game”, “Mistakes We Make Choosing a Mate”, and more.  

Registration fee, $10 (includes gift bag and lunch.) Registration deadline June 25.   Please make checks payable to TWO-Singles. Questions and to register, call Elder Riggins at 407-474-2331; or you can mail or bring your registration payment with your name and phone number to the church. This event is being sponsored by the Singles Ministry at the Word Center (www.wordcenter.tv); Pastors Rico and Dana Sharp; Tel.: 407-687-0551.
    
    • May Birthdays.  Happy Birthday to Sylvia Bodison, Pam Cummings, Hattie Mae Hankerson, Sandra Hunt, Thelma Mike, Annie Mae O’Neille, Joeweze B. Stephens, Mattie Mae Menefee-Sams, Dr. Willie B. Sherman, and Maria Wyatt.

 - Sheralyn Brinson, SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com.