By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
On Sunday, June 22, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church held its annual Youth Day with the theme of “Keeping Our Focus on God While We Are Young,” John 9:4. The special service allowed congregants to honor a number of young people in their midst.
Sunday’s service opened, appropriately enough, with a processional by the St. Paul Youth Choir and was followed by presentations by the youngsters – the Lord’s Prayer by JaLynn Coley and Leah Edwards; the Responsive Reading Psalm by Zoey Harris; a scripture reading by Jayda Coley; an After Song by Jacee Coley; After Call by Mikala Evans/Kennedi.
Other youngsters who were part of the Youth Day service were Adrian Brown, Amira Nelson and Aufwiedersehen Agee.
The guest speaker for Youth Day was Rev. Thomas Hutchens of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.
The centerpiece of Youth Day was the awarding of scholarships to two young women who are headed to college in the fall: Kaitlyn Diggins and Celina Winfield-White.
Kaitlyn graduated from Notre Dame Academy having served as class president for each of her high school years. She has participated in athletics (basketball, track & field, lacrosse and cross country); is a board member with Jems 2 Jewels and has been part of Toledo Excel, the Law and Leadership Program and Youth Leadership Toledo.
Kaitlyn will attend Arizona State University to double major in political science and international relations on her way to law school in the future.
Celina is a graduate of Central Catholic where she was a cheerleader and swim team members – setting a school record in the 100-meter butterfly. She has performed community service with Boys and Girls Club of Toledo,, the Alpha Esquire 2025 Beautillion Beaus, Junior Beaus and Belles, Groomed for Greatness and was a runner up for Miss Debutante 2025 with the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Toledo Club.
Celina will enter the University of Toledo in the fall majoring in pre-law on her way to law school.
Words of Gratitude from the two scholarship awardees and a Benediction by Pastor Willis closed out the Sunday Youth Day service.