Members of the Young Men of Honor Program The Sixth Annual Awards Banquet for the Young Men of Honor was held at the Frank W. Spencer Elementary Engineering Academy on Sunday, June 6.

Using the theme “He Saw the Best In Me,” parents, other family members, teachers, school administrators and community leaders honored the young men for their past accomplishments as they move to another level in their personal and educational pursuits. Additionally, the parents and community supporters were urged to do even more to support and encourage the young men.

Founded by Mrs. Diane Jackson, a para-educator at Spencer Elementary School, the Young Men of Honor Program seeks to change negative behavior in young boys between the ages of 9 and 14 by providing activities that encourage and teach positive behavior patterns. The program also attempts to: broaden the cultural and social experiences of the students; reduce at-risk behavior; improve academic performance; and build positive selfidentities for the young men.

Attorney Amir Jamal Toure, a long-time supporter of the Young Men of Honor Program, was the keynote speaker. A noted historian and writer, Toure used an enthusiastic and interactive approach to encourage, praise, and instruct the students, and the others in attendance.

Superior Court Judge James Bass served as Master of Ceremony, and throughout the affair, he praised the students for their accomplishments. Judge Bass also chairs the Social Action Committee of Alpha Lambda Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, which has adopted the Young Men of Honor Program as one of its major community support initiatives.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, who serves as Sire Archon of Alpha Lambda Boule, administered the “Rites of Passage.” Mayor Johnson was assisted by Robert E. James, Carver State Bank President and Grammateus of Alpha Lambda Boule.

The students were praised throughout the event by leaders like Pastor Gwendolyn Greene of Gospel Truth Bible Clinic of Ellabell, GA, Spencer Elementary School Principal Andrea Williams, and Assistant Principal Jim Roszkowiak.

Rev. Mathew Southhall Brown, Jr., Pastor of First Union Missionary Baptist Church introduced the speaker. Eric Beba delivered the welcome with the assistance of several of the students who showcased the French speaking skills taught to them by Mr. Beba. Minister Johnny Mikell of Holy Inspirations, Inc. provided music for the evening. With Minister Mikell's assistance and directed by Mrs. Felicia McKithen, members of the Young Men of Honor sang “He Saw the Best in Me.”

Judge Bass, Mrs. Jackson, Principal Williams and Assistant Principal Roszkowiak presented several achievement awards. Included among the award recipients was Tajorean Jenkins, a rising sixth grader who achieved a near perfect score on the CRCT examination. He was also recognized for several other achievements.

Bass called on Carver State Bank President, Robert E. James, who announced that Alpha Lambda Boule would establish a $200 savings account for Tajorean at Carver State Bank. Barbara Essig, Executive Director of The First Tee of Savannah, also presented Tajorean with an award covering free participation in the organization's summer golf and teaching institute.

James described the other actions by Alpha Lambda during the past twelve months to support the students in the program, including $2,500 for last year's summer trip to Alabama to visit historic landmarks, including the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham. For the past two years, the Boule men also arranged, and paid for, the delicious banquet meals catered by MaRandy's Restaurant. Last year, the group honored Mrs. Jackson and her husband by paying for a weekend of relaxation at the Westin Resort and Spa on Hutchinson Island. Throughout the school year, the men of Alpha Lambda provided speakers, pen pals and professional role models for the students.

Established in 1904, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity is a prestigious organization of African American men. The national fraternity is known as the Grand Boule, and individual members are called “Archons.” A few of the well-known Archons included W. E. B. Dubois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Benjamin E. Mays. The Grand Boule theme for the 2008 - 2010 Biennium is “Boule Men Doing Great Things!” Chartered in 1963, Alpha Lambda Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity includes members from the Savannah and the Hilton Head areas.