The Lamplighters Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Theta Phi Chapter’s signature youth program, recently held a Inaugural Awards Banquet, Saturday, at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Over 300 guests witnessed 21 Duval County male students receive acknowledgements and awards for their academic and personal achievements during their year-long participation in the program. The Lamplighters program, modeled after the Tallahassee Omega Lamplighters program, is a mentoring and youth leadership program for males 12 – 17 years of age, designed to help them transition from adolescence to manhood through emphasizing on teaching the young men to apply the program’s four vital principles – leadership, academics, maturity and perseverance.
During the banquet, all Jacksonville Lamplighter members were acknowledged.
Another very special part of the banquet was the “Blazer Crowning” where Theta Phi Chapter sponsored and presented each young man with a new blazer as rites of passage to manhood. In addition, chapter members presented the five seniors in the group with a black suit, preparing them for their first interview, first job, etc.
“We are turning good young men into great young men. With so much negative press surrounding our male youth, this banquet celebrates young men who are working hard to stay on the right track,” said Robert Gresham, IV, Jacksonville Omega Lamplighters Director. Pictured are 2016 Omega Lamplighters graduates Christopher Shuman Sandalwood) Jacquez Tompkins (Ribault), Dajon Stephens (Ribault), Earl Robinson, Jr. (Raines), and Joshua Rivers (First Coast)
