Emancipation Proclamation anniversary is celebrated in Effingham
By Tony Chiariello
The Concerned Citizens of Effingham County, a combination of churches and civic organizations, held a drive-up celebration of the 158th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1 in the parking lot of the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association in Guyton.
The proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, announced that all slaves in the rebellious states shall be henceforth, and forever, free.
It was not until the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified by three-fourths of the states on Dec. 18, 1865, that the abolition of slavery actually took place.
At the ceremony, Torian A. White, the principal of South Effingham High School, served as the master of ceremonies. He was valedictorian of the 1999 SEHS graduating class.
Trent Dickerson was honored as Farmer of the Year and Greg Burns of Lane Brothers Auction Co. won Agribusiness of the Year at the Effingham County Young Farmers’ annual banquet.
Also presented at the annual banquet Thursday night at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center were the Honeyridge Livestock Extravaganza winners and the Gene Hart Leadership Awards.
About 100 people attended the banquet and awards were presented by state Sen. Billy Hickman, R-Statesboro, and state Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington.
Hickman presented the Gene Hart Leadership Awards to Macee Smith of South Effingham High School; Bentley Braswell of Effingham Middle School; Emma Connelly of Effingham Middle School; Taylor Lucas of Effingham County High School; and Makayla Davis of South Effingham Middle School.