Bright Futures Coalition Banquet was recently held and doubled in size from just one year ago, providing to be a great success.

Keynote speaker was Dr. Michael Angelo James, mayor of Waycross. 

Bright Futures Citizenship Awards were presented to five individuals for their contributions to their respective communities. 

Bright Futures Citizenship Award winners are: Freddie Camon, Ray City; Elaine Landy, Nashville; Dennis Pitts, Enigma; and Rudolph Smith, Alapaha. 

Daniel Studstill received the Bright Futures Person of the Year Award for his contributions to our community and for going above and beyond the call of duty.

The dinner was catered by Big Nicks located in Valdosta. Music was provided by Louis Camon and Tthe Miracle Voices.

The coalition received support for the banquet from sponsors First Commerce Credit Union, Chaparral and Robalo Boats, Houston Insurance Co., Sheriff Ray Paulk, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Harrington Funeral Home, District Attorney Chase Studstill and Camon Enterprises Inc.

The Bright Futures Coalition in Berrien County’s primary focus is on education,

empowerment and advocacy. The coalition accomplishes these goals by mobilizing community resources to create a united movement to strengthen educational outcomes by strengthening schools.

They empower individuals, with the hopes of them realizing that their voice is important and is needed to strengthen families, resulting in stronger communities. They advocate for the less fortunate, with the goal of providing the necessary tools to enlighten a pathway to success.

Mobilizing community assets: The coalition works to bring together schools, families, and community organizations to leverage resources and expertise for the benefit of Berrien County.

Community school focus: The coalition advocates for and support individuals and families, by offering training on how to become an active and meaning part of the school’s efforts to educate the students in our community, as well as provide employment opportunities for every qualified individual.

Community empowerment: The core mission is to empower every sector of our community, with the hopes of establishing a collaborative team to help reduce school dropout rates, crime, and teen pregnancy. The goal is to increase high school graduation rates and partner with businesses to facilitate adequate training, to secure meaningful employment.

Partner organizations: The coalition values the input of local churches, businesses and organizations and invites all interested parties to become stakeholders in this worthy endeavor, in order to help us to achieve our goals of strengthening the voices of present and future citizens of Berrien County.

Advocacy and awareness: The coalition engages in advocacy efforts with local law enforcement and the justice system, to raise awareness about the importance of preventative measures that reduce incarceration, and promote a more safe environment in our community.

The coalition members said they look forward to next year’s event, with hopes it can double in size again.