Carver High Alumni gather this weekend
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 29, 2006 1:47 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Carver High School Alumni and Friends Association will celebrate its 24th annual reunion this weekend, with a number of events planned between Thursday and Sunday.
The high school, now Southern Academy in Mount Olive, had its last graduating class in 1970. The alumni group was established in 1982 with its emphasis toward providing student scholarships.
Its charter president was Al King, now mayor of Goldsboro. The current president is Al Southerland, Class of 1968.
There are also three chapters affiliated with Carver Alumni -- from Mount Olive, Washington, DC metro, and Philadelphia/New York, Southerland said.
This year's festivities kicked off on today with the Carver Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament at Southern Wayne Country Club. All proceeds will be used for scholarships. Last year, Southerland said, $8,000 was raised.
This evening at 6 p.m. will be the Little Miss/Little Mister Carver Alumni Pageant. It will be held at Carver Elementary School, with the newly formed Carver Alumni youth choir scheduled to perform.
Two young ladies will vie for the title of Little Miss. Julia Elnes, daughter of Bjorn and Mia Elnes of Cary, will represent the Mount Olive chapter. She is also the granddaughter of Sammy and Vivian Monroe of Mount Olive.
The other contestant is Ayanna McDonald of Oxon Hill, Md., representing the Washington DC Metro chapter. She is the granddaughter of Joseph and Annette Barfield McDonald.
The sole contestant in the Little Mister competition is Jaylon Davis, who automatically becomes the national winner, Southerland said. The son of Bonita Manley and Lamar Davis, Jaylon's grandparents are the Rev. and Mrs. Hosea Manley of Mount Olive and Earl and Bunetta Davis.
On Friday, the scholarship and recognition banquet will take place at Mount Olive College, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Lois K. Murphy Center. Admission price is $20 per person.
In addition to scholarships, several alumni awards will be handed out. These include the Henrietta Williams Community Service Award, Volunteer of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and the President's Award.
A short memorial service will also be held during the banquet to honor alumni members and friends who have died in the past year.
On Saturday morning, a parade will pass through Mount Olive beginningat 10. The Goldsboro High School marching band will participate. Classes, organizations, church groups and interested businesses are also encouraged to take part.
Participants will line up at Southern Academy beginning at 9 a.m. and there will be a new parade route this year, Southerland said. It will travel down Herring Street, cross over the railroad tracks in front of Garris Funeral Home, turn north on Center Street, then turn left onto Pollock Street and travel down Breazeale Avenue.
The annual membership meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at Southern Academy, which is Carver Alumni headquarters. National officers will be elected.
There will be a picnic on the grounds of Southern Academy that afternoon from noon until 4 p.m. for all ages. A barbecue meal will be served for $10 a person; outside activities and food for children will be free.
A homecoming is planned for Saturday evening beginning at 9 at Southern Wayne Country Club in Mount Olive. Admission is $15 per person.
The weekend concludes on Sunday morning with a prayer breakfast at 9 a.m. at Northeast Chapel Original Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Olive. Cost is $5 per person.
Southerland said it should be a great homecoming celebration.
"I'm particularly excited about the band coming this year for the parade. Typically the schools are out," he said. "I hope everyone will come out and enjoy the Cougars band from Goldsboro High School. I'm just looking forward to an exciting weekend."
For more information about the events, contact Southerland at 658-8776.