The King of Clubs still making history, serving

Evidence is in the fact that the club will celebrate 83 years of service to the Miami area when members and supporters convene for the club’s 27th Annual Scholarship/Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 5, 1 p.m. at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay, 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami. Donations are $50 per person. Tickets can be purchased from any member, or by calling 305-625-3872.

College scholarships will be presented during the event to outstanding high school graduates in the greater Miami area.

The recipients include:

Peace Nwagbo, a graduating senior from Miami Jackson Senior High School with a grade point average of 5.22, who plans to attend the University of Miami, majoring in Health Science and Business Administration.

Michael Turner Jr., graduating from William H. Turner Technical Arts High School with a grade point average of 4.80, who will attend the University of South Florida where he will major in Biology.

Naomi Delva, graduating from Law Enforcement Officers Memorial High School, who will pursue a degree in Political Science at Spelman College.

Antonio Darien Harden, graduating from Miami Norland Senior High School, who plans to attend Bethune-Cookman University majoring in Business Administration and wants to be an entrepreneur.

Mereya Quintana, graduating from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, who will attend the University of Florida, majoring in Pre-Medicine.

Wayne Gallo III, graduating from Homestead Senior High School, who will attend Florida A&M University where he will major in Pharmacy.

Abraham Bonamy, graduating from Miami Central Senior High School, who will pursue a degree in Criminology at Florida State University in the fall. 

In addition the organization will present Outstanding Community Service Awards to two deserving adults:

Wilbert T. Holloway, whose distinguished public service career includes service in the Florida Legislature, and who currently serves as a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

Mohamed Hamaludin, whose distinguished journalistic career includes assignments abroad, as well as significantly benefiting the greater South Florida community in various editorial positions at The Miami Times, The Miami Herald and continues as executive editor of the South Florida Times.

Organized on Monday, Nov. 20, 1930 by ten young college men, the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, Inc. has since provided more than $100,000 in college scholarships to more than 100 Miami-Dade high school graduates.

Although the club’s charter members no longer are living, newer and longtime members are active in hosting forums and other public and community efforts, underscoring their founders’ focus on service rather than social extravagance.

Eleven members have served since 1930 as president of one of the area’s oldest civic organizations. The 2013 officers are Richard Strachan, president; Fletcher Paschal III, vice president; Ron Butler, recording secretary; James Fayson, financial secretary; Ja’Shon Fayson, treasurer; Arthur Simms, chaplain; and Astrid K. Mack, president emeritus.