From our January 25, 2001, edition.

MLK celebration held 

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The third annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration was held last Tuesday, January 16, in the Bairfield Activity Center.

The event was an entirely local affair since freezing sleet made it necessary for guest speakers from Amarillo to cancel their appearance. Nevertheless, approximately 60 local souls braved the elements to remember the dream of Dr. King.

An opening scripture was read by Pastor Smiley Johnson of the First Presbyterian Church, and Pastor Bryan Knowles of the Clarendon Community Fellowship Church opened with a word of prayer. Clarendon College Multicultural Club president Sheldon Smart delivered the welcome.

The True Church of God in Christ Youth Choir performed an enthusiastic rendition of “Take the Shackles Off My Feet” under the direction of CC Multicultural Club vice president Euraline Williams.

The keynote address was given by CC President Myles Shelton, and Dean of Students Jay Caldwell presented several famous quotations, as well as his own words, as words for thought.

CC Librarian Jewell Austin, Clarendon eighth grader April Ballard, and Euraline Williams presented a tribute to Dr. King’s life. Local pastors Johnson, Knowles, and James Ivey Edwards each gave their own remarks.

The annual Drum Major Award was given to CC instructor Ken Wilson, and Service Awards were given to Pastor Melvin Brooks of St. Stephen’s Baptist Church and Myles Shelton.

The evening was closed with a video of Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.

Smart then delivered a moving closing in which he spoke of the opportunities available to young Americans. Smart, who is from Trinidad and Tobago, used his completely impromptu remarks to urge the young people to find their own dream and work to achieve it.