The Bulletin Board: Young Men of Excellence celebrate annual award ceremony

The Young Men of Excellence (YMOE) 4th Annual Awards Night, “Legacy of Excellence”, was held Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 5 p.m. in the Karen Whigham Coleman Auditorium at Seminole High School (SHS) in Sanford.  
Michiah Adams served as Master of Ceremonies. The SHS Color Guard presented the colors and Shamya Brooks sang “The National Anthem”. Pastor Lowman Oliver, St. Paul M.B. Church-Sanford, gave Words of Encouragement. The Young Men of Excellence processed into the auditorium reciting their Creed, “Excellence is not an act, but a habit. We are what we repeatedly do. We are Young Men of Excellence. Excellence-Excellence-Excellence!” School Board Member Mrs. Dede Schaffner gave the Welcome.  
Nazir Crump stated the YMOE Purpose; Daravious Perkins recited, “What YMOE Means to Me”; Shemar Rochester played the guitar and sang a song he wrote for the YMOE. Dr. Walt Griffin, Superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools and Dr. Michael Blasewitz, Executive Director of Secondary Education, presented a review of the YMOE Initiative, “Four Years in Review”. Mr. Kenny Hargett, Theater and Music Teacher at Midway Elementary School, played an instrumental saxophone solo.  Mr. Edward Blacksheare, described as a “A Man of Vision”, gave the history of the YMOE Initiative.
Dr. Connie Collins, SHS Principal, gave reflections. Mr. Robert Guy, District YMOE Coordinator, presided over the Seniors Ceremony and gave special thanks and acknowledgements for the tremendous support the YMOE Initiative has received.  
The Young Men of Excellence 2016 Graduates are: Alexander James; Alonzo Brundidge; Brandon Moore; Daravious Perkins; DaShawn Debose; Deeric Walker; Dorian Brundidge; Gladstone Bennett; Ja’quon Cleveland; Jahquez Williams; Jason Lee Alexander; Julian Austin-Easley; Kerri Campbell; Larry Hartsfield; Maurice Nock; Michiah Adams; Nazir Crump; Shemar Rochester; Travis Grant; Troy Tulloch; Tyrece Gibson; Wilfred Peasah; Latrell Bush; Desmond Davis; Vantrail Frison; Jamal Hardy; Julian Wimberly.  
Congratulations to the YMOE First Graduating Class. Good Beginning ... Excellent Finish!  95% of the graduates are going to college (University of Miami, Savannah State University, Barry University, University of Central Florida, Augustana College, University of South Florida, and Bethune Cookman University or to the U.S. Military (Air Force, Army). Mr. Guy stated, “We had a great team effort” and expressed thanks to the High School Principals, Dr. Connie Collins, (Seminole); Dr. Mickey Reynolds, (Winter Springs); Brain Urichko, (Lyman former Principal); Micheal Kotkin, (Lake Mary); and Frank Casillo, (Lake Howell).

• Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2016. "Deep Sea Discovery. God Is With Me Wherever I Go" is the theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School at New Bethel M.B. Church and St. John M.B. Church.
Everyone is invited to join them as they "Dive Into God's Amazing Love."  Experience the fellowship of two dynamic churches in Sanford that have partnered to host Vacation Bible School again for the community, Monday-Friday, June 13-17, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. Classes for the youth will be held at New Bethel, 618 E. 10th St.; Rev. William F. Lewis, Pastor.
Adult classes will be held at St. John, 920 Cypress Ave.; Rev. McKennon Fernander, Pastor.  Registration and the opening service each night at 6 p.m., will take place at New Bethel. Friday's culminating activities will bring everyone together at New Bethel.  
Everyone is welcome and it’s FREE!  Volunteers who love working in God's Kingdom are needed. You may register online at www.vacationbibleschool.com/nbsj. VBS Committee Members are: Dr. Terri Daniels, Director of Christian Education at New Bethel; Allen Jackson, Youth Director at New Bethel; Dr. Jean Feacher-Jones and Joyce Brown, both from St. John.

• The Singing Angels of Deland invites the community to their 53rd Anniversary to be held on Sat., June 18 at 7 p.m. at New St. John M.B. Church; 515 S. Clara Ave., Deland; Rev. Gene Collier, Host Pastor. Questions, call Pastor Cassandra Freeman, 386-868-8353.

• New Covenant House of Worship, 1819 Second St. in Sanford (Bishop Karl Scott Redmond, Pastor), invites the community to their Mortgage Burning Celebration Service, Sat., June 11 at 7 p.m.
The guest church will be Providence M.B. Church of Lake Monroe, Rev. Elias G. Caffey, Pastor.  

• Divine Temple of God, 1006 W. Sixth St. in Sanford invites the community to an Appreciation Celebration honoring Shepherd Gradey and Sister Betty Roberson for 36 years of commitment and dedication to God’s people.  
The Celebration Service will be held Sun., June 12, 2016 at 4 p.m., with the theme, “36 Years Feeding the Sheep” (John 21:15-17). Elder Calvin Donaldson and the House of Christ Ministries in Sanford will be the guest church. Please come and be a part of this awesome celebration.  
Questions, contact Elder Richard Grey, Chairman, at 407-617-6029.   Sis. Diane Hunter, Co-Chairman; Elder Gradey Roberson, Shepherd.

• Father’s Day is Sun, June 19, 2016.  Sheralyn J. Brinson invites you to send out Father’s Day shout-outs over the “Rejoice” Radio Broadcast on Father’s Day. To have your shout-outs aired, please call Sheralyn Brinson at 407-321-4881.  
 Just a reminder, the broadcast is pre-recorded; your shout-outs must be received on or before 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17. The “Rejoice” Radio Broadcast airs Sunday mornings, 8:45-10 a.m., over WSDO-1400 AM Radio-Sanford and WTJV-1490 AM Radio-DeLand.
The program format is Gospel music, spoken word inspirational messages, church and community announcements, special occasion shout-outs, and more. You are invited to tune in.

- Sheralyn Brinson, SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com