Chief William Freeman, Suffolk chief of police, was the guest speaker for the 14th anniversary of Kings Kids of America Inc., a non-profit outreach organization that caters to the needs of community youths. The celebration took place Sept. 27 in Faith Temple Apostolic.

Freeman applauded the children for being involved in King’s Kids.

His message stressed the importance of following the rules and respecting authority.

&uot;If we don’t do this in our schools, homes and communities, we will obey the law somewhere else. This is what King’s Kids is all about keeping our children off the streets and involved in healthy activities,&uot; he said.

Deputy Randy Carter was the master of ceremony.

The program opened with a selection from Faith Temple Young Adult Choir, which consisted of many of our King’s disciples (ages 16 – 23). Past kings and queens were escorted to the anniversary by Dallas Limousine Service. They were riding in grand style.

Each child received a medallion with a crown in it for the participation award.

Special categories were also made for good behavior (red ribbons); perfect attendance (blue ribbons); and honor roll (framed certificate).

The bicycle drawing was one of the program’s highlights. The winners were:

Terry Pierce of Highland Park; Victoria Parrish of Colander Bishop Meadows; Deidra Thorpe of Hoffler Apartments; Quaesha Knight of Cypress Manor/Parker Riddick; Keandra Milteer of Heritage Acres; and Rozzelle Sawyer of Wilson Pines Apartments.

Two bicycles each were contributed by Wal-Marts of Suffolk and Hampton, Slimbo Trucking in Suffolk and W.M. Flythe Electric Co.

The robes for the kings and queens were cleaned by Quality Cleaners. Roses were donated by Nature’s Beauty.

The grand finale was the crowning of the new kings and queens for 2003-2004:

Highland Park – James Kea and Ratisha Brown; Colander Bishop Meadows – Michael Gilchrist and Shaquita Baker; Hoffler Apartments – Anthony Beamon and Kadedra Mason; Cypress Manor/Parker Riddick – Toriano Johnson and Shanta Skinner; Heritage Acres – Jamar Milteer and Takia Britt; Wilson Pines – Blake Sawyer and Kindra Sawyer.

Tiffany Lewis of Highland Park was the drawing for $50. Beverly Marion, a parent from Colander Bishop Meadows won the drawing for $100.

Three were awards were presented by Mrs. Betty Milteer Knight, executive director, and Mrs. Brenda Nichols, assistant director, in memory of Mrs. China White, a past instructor of Heritage Acres: Delvin King, a past king from Colander Bishop Meadows; Michelle Nichols Young, a past King’s disciple; Donte Long also received a plaque for his heroism that was shown last year for fellow King’s Kid, Delvin Jones.

The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Gwendolyn Parrish, coordinator of King’s Kids at Highland Park. Other winners of the quarter were Vickey Long (October – December 2002); Gwendolyn Parrish (January – March 2003); Claudia Goodman (April – June 2003); and Jackie Cross (July – September 2003).