2 Clarendon residents presented with scholarships

Two Clarendon County natives were presented with scholarships at the 19th annual Black River Missionary Baptist Association Educational Scholarship Banquet, which was held Oct. 13 at Manning Junior High School. Since 2007, the association has awarded 21 scholarships to first-year college students who are members of affiliated churches of the association and who meet the criteria set forth by the scholarship committee. Scholarship amounts are $1,500, $1,000 and $500, and they are funded by the affiliated churches and other donations. According to a release from the association, ads were attached this year to the banquet's program to help reach the financial goal for the scholarships. The Black River Missionary Baptist Association is comprised of churches in Clarendon, Sumter and Williamsburg counties. The Rev. Clifford Gaymon serves as moderator. The banquet itself was held during the association's 113th annual session held Oct. 8-14 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Summerton, where the Rev. David Lawson is host pastor. According to a release, this year's scholarship recipients both came from Clarendon County. Brian Scott is a 2017 graduate of Manning High School and currently attends South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. He is the son of Candace Frierson and James Scott. He was awarded $1,500 by Gaymon during a presentation at the banquet. He is a member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Christavis Johnson is a 2017 graduate of Scott's Branch High School in Summerton. He currently attends Coastal Carolina University in Conway. He is the son of Dionne Johnson and Christopher Junious. He was awarded $1,000, and is a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.