PVAMU ALUMNI TO GATHER IN CRESCENT CITY

The countdown is on for the 36th National Convention of Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association set for July 21-24 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alumni from everywhere are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, dance and awards ceremonies. For information, contact the National Headquarters at 936-857-5817.

Congratulations to Miss Elizabeth Gardner as she competes in the 2010 Miss Texas Pageant on June 28-July 2 at the University of Texas at Arlington. Gardner, Miss East Texas, is a Junior Communications student at Prairie View A&M University and International Queen for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Elizabeth is one of six African Americans in the 75-year old pageant and hopes to become the 2nd African American to win the title, Shilah Phillips won the title in 2006. Just 26 years ago, Dellenor Miles, Miss PVAMU was named 4th runner-up to Miss Texas, one of four to ever make the top ten at the time.

Sunday, July 4 marks the 234th Birthday and Independence Day of the United States of America. Amidst the celebration and fanfare, be mindful of what this day really means to the country and its impact on the world community. Happy 4th of July and enjoy it safely!

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Summer Vacation Bible School and 3rd Annual Hand Bell Camp at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View. The Vacation Bible runs July 19-23 and Hand Bell runs July 26-30, all beginning 7:30 am -5:30 pm. The camps are open to students in grades Pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. For information, call 936-857-3534, 832-885-7980, 936-857-3302 or 936-857-3272. The camps are free and lunch will be provided by the Episcopal Church Women. Member of St. Francis will also host a Summer Spaghetti Dinner on July 14 at the church.

The folks are gearing up for the 4th Annual Red and White Ball of the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighters Inc. on August 28, 2010. For information and sponsorship, call Elaine Jackson at 936-857-5550 or email: mejacksontx@prodigy.net.

Congratulations to Allyn Bowdre (4th grade Jones), Kennedi Hendrix (6th grade Waller Junior), Brittney Jones (6th grade Schultz) and Brianna Jones (4th grade Jones) on making 100 on the 2010 TAKS Math exam. The students are the newest members of the 3D Mathematics Academy 100 Club in Prairie View.

Congratulations to Coaches Michael Bryant and Roy Jones of the Prairie View A&M University Football team on their selection to the 2010 NCAA Expert Coaches Football Academy in Anaheim, California held June 22-24. They are among 20 coaches selected nationally for the event. Also to Heishma Northern on his selection to attend the 2010 NCAA Champions Forum being held at the same time in Anaheim. Northern is one of 3 representatives from the Football Championship Subdivision ranks.

A Big Thank you to the participants in the 4th Annual Golden Tee Golf Tournament sponsored by the Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to support its scholarship fund. Some 72 golfers participated in the tournament.

Mayor Frank D. Jackson and Reverend Robin Willis challenged the men at the Men’s Breakfast held at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on June 19th to unify and challenge the status quo. Jackson gave a brief account of Junteenth, its significance to the state and county, and Prairie View’s roles. Reverend Willis challenged the learned and the unlearned to work together for the common good. The men also had the chance to reflect on their involvement in helping the community. The next Men’s Breakfast on July 17th will feature Dr. Lucius Wyatt who will speak on “Rediscovering Jazz.”

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for the health of Martha Bailey, Esel and Willie J. Bell Sr., Ernestine Carreathers, Nellie Charleston, Dewayne Charleston, Larry Coleman, Redessa Coleman, Hulen and Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Mary Kemp, James Poindexter, Irene Reid, Otelia A. Watson and Douglas Woolfolk. May the peace of God be with you!

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: The PVAMU Career Services Department closes out its 26th Pre College Enrichment Program on July 2. Over the past two weeks some 120 students in grades 11-12 participated in study skills, career choices and personal development workshops and field trips. The Career staff also continues its work on events for the 40th Anniversary Celebration in September. For information, call 936-261-3570 or visit www.pvamu.edu/careers.

More than 1,600 students are taking part in other camps and programs to include the ACCESS for incoming freshmen, The Air Force Summer Academy for High School Students, the SECCS and ENRGIZE programs for middle school students in engineering and science.

Happy June Birthday wishes to: Mary Boozer (27) Jokeisha Campbell (27), Jennifer Jackson (27), James Johnson (28), Robert Smith (29), Darlene Clark (30) and Caroline Stevenson (30). HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY TO: Granville O'Brien (1), Willie Adams (1), Neal Baines (1), Alvertice Bowdre (1), Lena Boyd-Brown (1), Richard Hayes (1), Byron Henry (1), Mary B. Johnson (1), Genora Kendrick (1), R.N. Rao (1), Donald Sowell (1), Waymon Webster (1), Fata Sirleaf (2), Raymond L. Burgess (3), Mahaley Almarie Smith (3), Tempie Hayes (7), Frankie Rigsby (7), Rona Bledsoe (9), and Freddie L. Richards (9). JULY ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS to Carl and Glenda Jones (3), Brandon and Alaina Shelby (8), and Leon and Lee Gillian (10).

Until next week, in the words of Frederick Douglass, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Keep those achievements and recognitions coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com, fax (936) 857-5352, phone (936) 857-3272 or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, Texas 77446.