Submitted photo From left to right, grade 6-8 essay contest winners are: Sanaa Harris, third place; Shederick Miller, second place; and James Ivey, first place.

The Magnolia High School Alumni Association held its first Black History Essay Contest Awards Program on Feb. 18 at the Thomasville Community Resource Center. The mission of the contest was to encourage, promote, and develop students for educational enrichment by improving their writing and oratorical skills.  

Forty-four students from local elementary, middle and high school participated.

During the awards program, all participating students present were recognized and given certificates. The three winners from each grade level were given monetary awards: first place — Charlie Dunbar IV; second place — Keerston Sanders, and third place — Corey T. Williams; from grades 6-8: first place — James Ivey, second place — Shederick Miller, and third place — Sanaa Harris; and from grades 9-12: first place — Kaija Anderson, second place — Amyhia Virgil, and third place — Aleah Wagner.

This year’s contest was chaired by Dr. Mary Williams Scruggs, on behalf of the Magnolia High School Alumni Association, and President Roger Walker. Other sponsors included the Thomasville Resource Center, Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Club, Urban Empire News, and other organizational and individual donors.

The goal for Magnolia High School Alumni is to have the contest again during February 2018 and each year following. The sponsors, student participants, and their families are greatly appreciative of the generous donations and support received during this inaugural year, and the essay contest committee will be soliciting support in the future so that even more students can be served.