Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Scholarship Winners: (back row, L to R) Curtis Thompson III, SaNya Monea Counts, Shellise Samuels, Nyasia Wright, Majada Odom, Quin'Daja Doe, Shayla Dickerson, Kaitlin Anderson, and Majada Odom; (front row, L to R) Syria Smith, Zaria Walker, A'Neiccia Workman, Kayson Tobin; Not Pictured: Rebecca Henderson & Amarianna Smith.
Award Winners (from left to right): Judge Thomas Williams, Debra Govans, Lillian Harrison & Patricia Williams (Blackville Community Choir), Superintendent Dr. Crystal "Crissie" Stapleton, and Superintendent Dr. Marcella Shaw.
Keynote speakers were (L to R) Rachell Williams, Kyla Shuler, and Davida Kenner.
Big 7 Association Members: (back row, L to R) James Wallace, Mark Lott, Horace Sanders, Ronald Shuler, Ben Carr and David Kenner; (front row, L to R) Thomas Williams, Daron Richberg, DeWayne Eubanks and Thomas Edwards III.
The Big 7 Association held their 29th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet (virtually) on February 25, 2023 due to the ongoing Covid-19 concerns. It was their third event held in prerecorded setting to be viewed via YouTube.
"We felt it was important to do so despite the fact we are still dealing with one of the worst pandemics to date. We desire to set an example for the students we sponsored that there will be times when things are difficult but that does not mean it is time to give up. Their education is too important for the Big 7 to stop doing all we can to assist them," states a press release.
The Big 7 thanks everyone who supported them with donations as well as those who went and will go online to watch the banquet video via at www.big7association.org or the Big 7 Association YouTube page. They also thank the sponsors who bought ads, funded a scholarship or gave a donation.
The following students received a total of $14,500 in scholarships: Curtis Thompson III, Amarianna Smith from Williston-Elko High School; Majada Odom from Denmark-Olar High School; SaNya Monea Counts from Blackville-Hilda High School; Shellise Samuels, Rebecca Henderson, A'Neiccia Workman, Zaria Walker, Nyasia Wright and Kayson Holden from Barnwell High School; Kaitlin Anderson from Aiken High School; Syria Smith from Bamberg-Earhart High School; Quin' Daja Doe and Shayla Dickerson from Allendale-Fairfax High School. The Big 7 applauds all the 2022 / 2023 scholarship winners.
Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers Jr. and The Blackville Community Choir received the Community Service Awards. Govan's Sports Blues and SoulFood Restaurant in Fairfax and Mr. Lawson J. Holland Jr. (Sport's Convenience Store) both received the Business Awards. Barnwell County Consolidated School District Superintendent Dr. Marcella Shaw and Barnwell School District 45 Superintendent Dr. Crystal "Crissie" Stapleton received Education Awards. Judge Thomas L. Williams received the Humanitarian Award for his work in the community as well as his service as Business Manager of the Big 7 Association. Judge Williams formerly served on Barnwell County Council twice as chairperson, Lower Savannah Council of Governments member and chairperson, Barnwell Lodge #180 P.H.A. member and Past Master, Union United Methodist Church chairperson, Denmark Technical College Area Commission chairperson and numerous other boards and commission.
Keynote speakers for the evening were three of the former scholarship winners. They were Davida Kenner, Kyra Shuler, and Rachel M. Williams, all of whom brought dynamic words of insight and encouragement for the youth and audience. The speakers are also daughters of members of the Big 7.
The Big 7 thanks Dion Washington (videographer), Gary Meadows (Meadowsmedia.com), Deshawn Maner, Lieutenant Eric Kirkland and Rochella Manuel for their participation.
"The Big 7 Association loves our mission which is "One helping one to uplift all" and we humbly ask everyone for your continued support by viewing our 29th Annual Scholarship video via our website or YouTube page and donate a minimum donation of $10 or whatever is comfortable for you. Also, continue to check our website for more details about our upcoming 30th Annual Scholarship Banquet in 2024 and to access the video and see the youth express themselves about their journey after college," states the release.
To become a scholarship partner at whatever level is comfortable to you, log on to www.big7association.org. You can contact davidkenner@big7association.org or any member of the Big7 Association. You can make a donation via the website, CashApp at $big7association or mail a check or money order to P.O. Box 722, Barnwell, S.C. 29812. The Big 7 is a 501c3 tax deductible organization.
