MT. VERNON — The 13th Jefferson County African-American Heritage Committee Gala celebrated the possibilities of the future while emphasizing the importance of remembering history.

Dr. Patrick Rice, former principal of J.L. Buford Intermediate Center and current director of field services for the Illinois Association of School Boards, spoke about his life’s work in education and his beliefs on what is needed to promote the African-American community.

He said the three main things he believes the African-American community needs to do are to promote education, particularly in history, to mentor young people and to start and maintain community organizations that work for the greater good.

“As a student of history, I’m very passionate about African-American history,” he said, mentioning that he often meets with a group of elderly men to discuss historical events. “If you deprive a man of who he is, you can make him into anything you want him to be, but if you educate him of his heritage, he will strive to be greater than those who came before him.”

He said African-Americans must be taught of their history to encourage them to strive to be better.

“It can be difficult for African-Americans to study our history,” he said. “It has become fragmented and some does appear to be lost forever.”

He said some in the African-American community believe its spiritual compass has broken, but added that he believes changes can be made to repair the damage done by the lack of unity.

“Despite our history, we can always learn,” he said. “It’s not where you come from, it’s where you’re going.”

Three young women were presented with the first-ever Laura Cheatham Memorial Committee Scholarship.

Qaneta Bowers is a senior at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where she is studying business management. She holds two associate’s degrees from Rend Lake College. She is active in her church, the Girl Scouts,  and works at Kohl’s in Mt. Vernon.

Azhia Downey is a 2011 graduate of MVTHS. She received a scholarship for Rend Lake College from the Strive Club. She hopes to be an ultrasound technician.

Juanita Jones is a 2010 graduate of MVTHS. She was active in music, the Vernois News, and her church, Power of Change Christian Church.

The JCAAHC presented scholarships to three students, Erin Moore, Whitney Malone and Adrienne Doggan.

Erin Moore graduated with the class of 2011 at Mt. Vernon Township High School. She plans to attend Northern Illinois University in the fall to run track and study business management.

Whitney Malone, also a member of the MVTHS class of 2011, was active in Girl Scouts,  music and Future Business Leaders of America.

Adrienne Doggan was active in the Hi-Tri, the Book Club, Symphonic Orchestra, SADD, and FCCLA while attending MVTHS. She plans to attend Southern Illinois University - Carbondale to study pre-nursing. She hopes to specialize in pediatrics.

Special recognition awards were presented to Mark and Carolyn Black, Joyce Secrest and Dee Ann Schnautz.

Mark and Carolyn Black are the owners of the Essence of Beauty salon and have owned it since April 2001. They are members of the Power of Change Church.

Dee Ann Schnautz is the director of curriculum for Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 and is studying for her doctorate in educational leadership at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.

Joyce Secrest is retiring after 33 years of teaching at Casey Middle School. She is a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where she is the Sunday school superintendent and the adult choir director. She serves on the Jefferson County Tourism Board and the Jefferson County NAACP Executive Board.

Armondo Settles, Clifton Moore, Sarah Lockhart and Cortez Hodges received Heritage Achievement Awards from the JCAAHC.

Cortez Hodges is a pottery teacher at the Shrode Art Center and exhibits and sells his pottery in Illinois and Texas. He is studying fine arts at Rend Lake College and works at 9th Street Grill.

For about a dozen years, Sarah Lockhart has tried to brighten the spirits of the community by sending greeting cards to people for various occasions. She said she believes God gives everyone an opportunity to serve and do something great for others.

Armondo Settles, a Mt. Vernon resident, has worked with youth for 15 years at City Schools District 80. He said he wants to prepare youth for the difficulties of life.

Clifton Moore dedicated his life to visiting the elderly, sick and shut-ins after he sustained a head injury in 1999. He is a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.