The Harnethea B. Manning Fourth Annual Scholarship Musical was held at First Baptist Church, where Dr. William R. Cullum, Jr. is the pastor. Mayor Todd Davis gave the welcome and introduced the Master of Ceremony, the Honorable L. Casey Manning, Sr. (5th Circuit Court, Columbia, SC). The scripture was given by District Elder Tommy Pittman, Pastor of Marshill Bibleway Church. The Invocation was given by Rev. Delen McRae, Pastor of Mt. Tema Baptist Church, Hartsville, SC. Attorney Glenn B. Manning, Sr. gave the purpose of the Scholarship Fund.
The musical part of the event was opened with the Dillon Middle School Chorus performing two outstanding songs. They displayed remarkable structure in their selections; the audience was deeply impressed. The chorus is under the direction of Mr. Joshua Fleetwood.
Sir Brock Mack followed with an electrifying selection which he sang and played the piano. He was accompanied by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Renzalo Mack.
Sir Cequordric Page, Third Annual HBMSF Recipient, soothed the audience from the depth of his heart as he performed two selections on the saxophone. We were mesmerized.
The Word Church Gospel Singers and the Marshill Bibleway Male Chorus each sang three songs and took us to praise, worship and great Gospel singing; it was a spiritual trip that was enjoyed tremendously.
The keynote speaker was introduced by the Honorable L. Casey Manning. Mr. Stephen K. Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia, SC, delivered a dynamic speech on how, as we raise our children, there needs to be a network of help in the overall rearing, nurturing and care of our children. Every chance you get to help children, whether in the home, school, community, church, “do it!” Mr. Benjamin gave an example of how a group of children were hanging out at a fast food place and had not eaten. They presented themselves, so well, with how much money it would take for all of them to eat. He gave them the money and watched how they maneuvered, by going to the cheaper place to buy the food and came back to the other place to use the free wi fi. Every child has potential; we need to extend help, direction and encouragement to them.
Mr. Treadway Manning was the recipient of the annual Community Recognition Award. Mr. Manning is the oldest living family member. He was given a beautiful crystal plaque recognizing and emphazing his septic tank service. This award was presented to Mr. Manning by Sandra Manning-Kirby and Paul Manning, Jr.
Linda Manning-Langley and Countess Simiyu made the presentation of the scholarship recipients. The Harnethea B. Manning Scholarship recipient for the 2015-2016 school year was given to Mr. Tadean Page, a freshman at Winthrop University. The supplement and Part B of the Scholarship went to Ms. Amber Graves who has been accepted to Pembroke University.