FRANKLIN
Approximately 150 people attended the 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. “UNITY in the CommUNITY” Walk that took place on Monday at the Paul D. Camp Community College campus.

The event was hosted by the Boykins Girl Scout Troop No. 5073.

Honorees for this years walk were Superintendent of Franklin City Public Schools Dr. Willie Bell and Superintendent of Southampton County Public Schools Dr. Alvera Parrish, as the focus was “Drum Majors of Education.”

“They were honored for the service they provide to assuring that students get the best education that can be afforded to them,” Troop Leader Kisha Watford said. “Each superintendent spoke on dreams and moving forward. The takeaway was that everyone can do something, and there are still dreams to be made because we are the dream.”

Watford also mentioned that both Bell and Parrish seemed as appreciative of the award as Troop No. 5073 was to honor them.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized by Girl Scout Troop No. 5073 of Boykins, Va. as one of there recipients for the ‘Drum Major of Education Award.’ The entire program was outstanding beginning with a unity walk commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy of equality marches,” Bell said. “I was pleased with the performance of the young people who performed through song and dance sponsored by leaders from their various churches. I would also like to thank the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for their beautiful gift. Additionally, I extend gratitude to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Paul D. Camp Community College for their continued partnership with Franklin City Public Schools and community endeavors.

“I have tried to live my life through the aims of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind to give back to the community that raised me, has had a major impact on my successes, and that I dearly love,” he continued. “I look forward to continue the pursuit of collaborative excellence in the Franklin City Public School System as well as the community of Franklin/Southampton. Together, in ‘V-formation’, we can make a difference through sincere effort, a humble heart, and the desire to improve others.”

S.P. Morton Elementary School will be presented with school supplies that the scouts collected. They also donated non-perishable food items to the food drive. Many families left the event with bags of food from Mt. Olive Food Pantry with assistance from members of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

“Special thanks to Lambda Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and PDCCC Student Activities Program for their partnership, as well as everyone who came to support the event,” Watford said.