The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Observance was held Sunday, January 18, in the LCHS Auditorium. Pictured are: (l-r) Welcome Mason; Willie Harris; Donnell Harris; Rev. J. Ronzell Maness, guest speaker; and Dr. Roger Williams, master of ceremonies. During the special program, Mason presented Willie Harris and his wife, Sadie, with the "Outstanding Citizenship Award." The annual Lincoln County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance was held Sunday, January 11, in the LCHS Auditorium.

The guest speaker for the occasion was Rev. J. Ronzell Maness, presiding elder of the Augusta-Sparta District in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church's Sixth Episcopal District.

The focus of Rev. Maness' message was on recognizing and submitting to the authority of God.

"Dr. King chose to obey God rather than man," stated Maness. "In order to have true freedom, we must place our faith in the man who calms the seas. We must submit to the authority of God and not worry about what the world says."

He went on to add, "We must accept the call of true discipleship — victory is in salvation."

In other comments, Rev. Maness mentioned the recent election of Barak Obama as the first African-American president of the United States. "While I applaud President-Elect Obama's election to office, I believe the answer to our problems is not in the government — it is in the church. The president-elect does not have all of the answers; we must seek God's will through the church."

The guest speaker was introduced to those present by Rev. George Glenn, pastor of Mulberry CME Church.

Bringing greetings to the audience were Darryl Henderson, the District 1 representative on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; Henry Brown, a councilman and mayor pro tem for the City of Lincolnton; and Ficklen Guin, assistant superintendent in charge of transportation, school food services, and social work for the Lincoln County School System.

Another highlight of the program was the presentation of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance Committee's "Outstanding Citizenship Award" by Welcome Mason, former principal of LCHS.

This year's recipients were Sadie and Willie Harris.

In presenting the award, Mason commented on the Harrises' many contributions to the community but was quick to note that they were selected for the honor because of their commitment to their adopted son, Donnell, currently a senior at LCHS.

"Willie and Sadie Harris have been a great influence on this young man's life, setting an excellent example for him to live by," stated Mason.

In addition to the "Outstanding Citizenship Award," the birthday observance featured special music provided by LCHS senior Ashley Rivera, who performed inspired renditions of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Adonai."

Others taking part in the birthday observance were Natasia Harris, a fifth-grader at LCES, and Jonathan Partlow, a seventh-grader at LCMS, who led those present in a litany commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King. The litany was titled "Let My People Go."

Moreover, Rev. Lanis Lewis, copastor of First Assembly of God, gave the invocation, and Rev. Willie J. White, pastor of Newberry Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the benediction.

Presiding over the program was Dr. Roger Williams, assistant superintendent of human resources for the McDuffie County School System.

The birthday observance was sponsored by Lincoln County Government, the City of Lincolnton, the Twilight Improvement Association, Inc., and the Lincoln County Chapter of the NAACP.