The Elite Lindenite Organization Inc. will sponsor its biennial African-American Achievement Awards Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Majo’s Activity Center.

The purpose of the event is to recognize citizens who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

This year the slate of honorees includes retired soldier and realtor Johnny Jones, UWA professor and author Dr. B.J. Kimbrough, nurse Vvaunka McCloud, retired educator and school administrator Sadie Moss, Atlanta businessman Johnnie Perkins, educator and businessman Charles Perry, professional basketball player and entrepreneur Theo Ratliff, educator and humanitarian Annie D. Bryant Robertson and educator and politician James Thomas.

The banquet will also serve to honor five high school seniors who will receive scholarships to further their education.

Those receiving scholarships include:

Jasmine Danielle Aldridge is a Linden High School honor student who maintains a grade-point average of 3.07 on a 4.0 scale in the advanced curriculum.

She volunteers for the American Red Cross and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is a regular volunteer in the Linden Patriot concession stand. She has been a part of the cheerleading squad, track and field team, dance team and a member of the Beta Club.

She plans to attend school in the fall at Alabama A&M, where she will pursue a degree in English before later attending law school.

Shanequa Aldridge is a student at Demopolis High School. She is a member of the Key Club, Beta Club, Future Teachers of Alabama and Anchor Club.

After graduation, she will attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL.

Latice Glover is an honor student at Linden High School, where she ranks fourth in her graduating class, maintaining a 3.26 grade-point average in the advanced curriculum.

She is one of the captains of the basketball team and is the captain of the dance team. She is the vice president of FBLA, secretary of the Beta Club and treasurer of SGA.

Her first plan is to attend Shelton State University to major in business and to minor in theatre arts and then to transfer to Alabama State University to further her education. Her second plan is to attend Alabama A&M to major in forestry.

Maria Shenna Norah is an honor student at Linden High School .where she ranks second in her graduating class, maintaining a 3.57 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. She is president of the Beta Club, and she serves as president of the Linden High School Marching Patriot Band. She is also the secretary at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

She plans to attend Shelton State Community College, Alabama State University or Alabama A&M University.

Brianna Shontae Williams is an honor student at Linden High School, where she ranks No. 1 in the LHS Class of 2010. She maintains a 3.64 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and earned a composite score of 24 on the ACT.

She is a member of the FCCLA and the National Beta Club. She has also been given the opportunity to march in the LHS Marching Patriot Band as a flutist and recently as a majorette in the band’s first auxiliary. She volunteers with the Red Cross, Marengo County’s Alabama Day, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the local ChiLLy Fest.

She plans to attend Alabama A&M University and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Ella Bell, a member of the Alabama Board of Education and a motivational speaker, will give the keynote address.

The program will feature a meal and award-winning entertainment.

Revenue from the banquet booklet assists the organization in providing scholarships for well-deserving college-bound seniors and to promote the organizations numerous projects.

Those wanting to make a tax-deductable scholarship donation may send them to Elite Lindenite Organization, 60 Aspen Street , Gallion, AL 36742.

Those wishing to attend the banquet may contact any member of the organization for further information.

An advanced ticket purchase is encouraged; however, they will be available at the door for a donation of $15.

Those who make quilts, baskets or other collectibles and desire to showcase them at the banquet are encouraged to contact an officer to reserve a space. Authors may also reserve a table to display their books.

For more information, call president Estella Shield at 295-5801, co-chair Mattie R. Herd at 295-8750 or co-chair Nadine Rogers at 289-9441.