Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
On Friday, May 19, the Madison County Recreation Association held their Heritage Banquet in conjunction with their annual 20th of May Celebration. The event was held at Divine Events, on Colin Kelly Hwy., in Madison. Local business leader J.P. Moore served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which included a fashion show, interpretive dance numbers from Jase Lindsey and more. The meal was catered by Divine Events.
Madison County Recreation Association President, Dr. Ray Mobley gave the keynote address. Dr. Mobley spoke of the improvements being made at the site of the old Suwannee River Junior College (SRJC). SRJC was established in 1958 as part of a system of segregated junior colleges for African-American students. SRJC merged with North Florida Junior College (NFJC) in 1966. The site of SRJC also served as Madison Middle School. Over the years, the site was abandoned and has fallen into disrepair. The Madison County Recreation Association has begun work to restore the site and preserve its historical significance. Dr. Mobley spoke of the hope of receiving historical preservation funding, now that the site has been listed on the national registry.
“The opportunities we have allow us to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others in our community,” said Dr. Mobley in his message to the attendees. “We commit to the future, to continue to work for the betterment and good of those to come because if we don't, the labor of those who have given us so much, their labor would have been in vain. Further, we know that their labor was not in vain. We have come over a way that, with tears, has been watered. Out of a gloomy path, we still must live out our dreams for a better society for future generations. I trust we will join and unite in this common cause, to continue to build on the strong legacy and history we enjoy. This is our hope and our charge.”