9th Annual CAY RS Village Tea Event Marion Howard “It takes a Village” Awardees
The 9th Annual Village Tea, themed “Raising Our Kings & Queens,” brought together community members for a day filled with recognition, celebration, and unity. Held to honor and uplift the contributions of individuals within the York City community, the event was a resounding success! Thank you to the family of Marion Howard, special guests, dignitaries and CA staff for making the 9th Annual Village Tea a success!
The event began with warm greetings from Jacquie Martino-Miller & Laquetta Coates, setting a welcoming tone for the day. Their heartfelt words emphasized how important community was to Marion Howard and the collective effort needed to nurture future generations. The festivities kicked off with a scavenger hunt, encouraging attendees to engage and interact with each other. This activity not only provided fun but also strengthened the bonds within the community, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration!!
Award Ceremony: Honoring “It Takes a Village” Awardees
The highlight of the event was the Marion Howard “It Takes a Village” Awardees ceremony, where three individuals who have made significant contributions to the community were honored. Jacquie Martino-Miller & Laquetta Coates presented the awards, recognizing the efforts and achievements. BIG Congratulations to our 9th Annual Village Tea, Marian Howard Award Recipients.
Awardees from left to right: Representative Carol Hill Evans, Hon. Rev. Dr. Adrian Boxley Sr. and Nicole Gaines
– PA Representative Carol Hill Evans a CA Kid and long time supporter of CAY when receiving her award said, ” Thank you kindly and thank you family of Marion Howard, Lady’s and Gentlemen I stand before you humbled and honored to accept this meaningful award. This moment is not just a personal milestone, it’s a result of years of hard work, persistent dedication, and a steady belief in the pursuit of public service. I’m here because of the countless individuals who have shaped my journey members who guided me, the colleagues who supported me, and the family that stood by me every step of the way. This award is a testament to the power of one person’s passion and perseverance that person. That person is Marion Howard. It symbolizes not only what one can achieve with determination, also what we can accomplish together as a community and as a village. As I accept this honor and I’ve been waiting for this! I’m reminded of the early days of wondering how I can serve my village in a way that would not only make them proud but more importantly, how I can make their lives better. The setbacks that seemed instrumental and the victories that were all the sweeter for their difficulty exemplified the spirit of Marion Howard, her mission, and her vision for her village. To all individuals out there who aspire to make a public servant in any capacity let this be a message of hop and inspiration your dreams are valid. Henry David reminds us to go confidently in the direction of your dreams, your hard work will pay off and your journey though it’s your unique journey is a part of the larger story of human endeavor and resilience. Thank you for this incredible honor. May we all continue to strive for excellence in all that we continue to do for our villages. Thank you!!”
– Honorable Rev. Adrian Bosley Sr. when receiving his award said, ” To the family of Miss Marion, what a blessing it is to be honored with her name attached to it. I remember even when I worked for the school district seeing Miss Marion pushing the kids around. What a privilege it is to be a recipient of an award that’s named after her. One thing I truly believe is it really does take a village… I really believe that deep in my heart. I think it was part of the village that got me to where I am today and I’m grateful for every step that God has allowed me to take give. I’m super excited.
– Nicole Grains when receiving her award, ” Thank you for nominating me this is a phenomenal award. Miss Marion was my village. I’m the same age as her oldest children. Later on she became my neighbor, so the guidance continued on into adult hood. I’m a CA Kid, I grew up on Queen Street, so I was here from about 2nd Grade till I graduated and I took advantage of all the opportunities Crispus Attucks had!. If it wouldn’t have been for Crispus Attucks I wouldn’t have the things that I have. I’m extremely involved in the community and I always give back because it was people here this community that gave to me. I would like to think that I’m a village for people because I do a lot in the community of kids, I do alot of fundraising to make sure they get to school. I go above and beyond.. I’ll go knock on doors if I haven’t seen them in a while. So I think I’m a few people’s villages and that’s exactly what we need. We need to bring that tradition back where everyone is getting involved because our youth is getting kind of out of hand. So I like to be everybody’s village not just people in my family. I’m very honored to get this award because it’s coming from Mrs. Marion and I’ve known her my whole life. Thank you!!”
Event Vocal Selection Jasmine Smith delivered a powerful and emotional performance, setting a high standard for the rest of the event. Laquetta Coates presented the award for biography to Queen Nacole Gaines, highlighting her inspiring life story and her contributions to the community. Jessica and Jazmyn Wright captivated the audience with their vocal performance, adding a melodious touch to the event.
The blessing of the food was a moment of gratitude and reflection, bringing everyone together in a shared sense of community and thankfulness. Chat & Chew segment allowed attendees to mingle, share stories, and enjoy the delicious food, further strengthening the bonds within the community. The event concluded with closing remarks from Jacquie Martino-Miller, who thanked everyone for their participation and encouraged continued community involvement and support.
The 9th Annual Village Tea was a beautiful celebration of community spirit, honoring the efforts of those who contribute to making the village a better place. Through recognition, performances, and shared moments, the event successfully “raised” its kings and queens, inspiring all to continue working together for a brighter future.
A special Thank you to Randy Christie Family for their generous donation , which provided each recipient with their deserved awards!!
