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Community in unity
By Mary Madewell
Published September 19, 2009
A crowd estimated at more than 1,500 attended the Diversity Task Force of Paris second yearly back-to-school block party Saturday with old and young alike enjoying hot dogs, cotton candy and other goodies while visiting with law enforcement and other public servants.
Youngsters took advantage of giant inflatable slides and bounce houses, cookie decorating and face painting while adults browsed informational booths set up by a number of service organizations in the Coliseum at Lamar County Fairgrounds.
The day’s events began with prayer, led by the Rev. Rusty Hedges, chairman of the Diversity Task Force public relations committee. Hedges acknowledged the presence of more than a dozen local pastors who joined a huge circle of prayer.
Hedges asked the Lord to bless the event “as we gather to celebrate both our diversity and our unity.
“Let this be a day when we can join together in peace and fellowship so that we might get to know one another as we, together, strengthen our Paris community,” the minister prayed.
Hedges made mention of the recent anniversary of the death of Brandon McClelland, whose tragic death on a Lamar County road Sept. 16, 2008, heightened racial tension and spawned several protest rallies at the Lamar County Courthouse and downtown Paris.
“We pray God’s mercy and peace for his family,” Hedges continued.
“Lord we gather at these fair grounds in acknowledgment that in the past this place has witnessed acts of violence and injustice and we pray that today might mark a turning part in our common story and that we might commit ourselves to building a future for our city in which violence and injustice have no place.”
Following the prayer circle, youngsters were encouraged by Diversity Task Force co-chair Mary Clark to enjoy the activities and make new friends.
Event co-chairman Steve Keywood termed the day a “success” about midway through the four-hour event, which drew volunteers and participants from throughout Lamar County. Chisum Independent School District sponsored a booth and members of the Reno Volunteer Fire Department manned the hot dog grill. Paris High School student volunteers could be seen assisting with numerous activities including cotton candy and snow cone stands.
Youth reactions to the events of the day and the crowd’s response to the day’s two speakers — Paris High School junior Jesse Wallace and former Florida State University defensive tackle Clarence Lee — indicated Keywood’s analysis of the day’s “success” accurate.
Wallace received a standing ovation and Lee mesmerized the crowed with his feats of strength entwined with the ordained minister’s motivational message to dream big, overcome the pressures of every day life and keep faith with God.
He called on youth to be respectful of authority.
“When you respect authority and others around you a mantle of leadership is placed upon your life,” Wallace said. “But remember, the choices you make today will affect you for the rest of your life.”
Emily Hignight, an eighth grade student at Travis Junior High, summarized the day as “a time for us all to get together and have fun.”
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