8 BOCNEWS.com SEPTEMBER 2017 THE NEW HOPE FAMILY LIFE CENTER is a 17,645 sq. ft. extension of New Hope Baptist Church. This multi-purpose / multi-use facility is composed of: a full-court gymnasium, commercial kitchen, banquet center, stage, choir rehearsal room, music library, chapel, meeting rooms, executive conference boardrooms, offices, an octagon-shaped prayer and meditation room, and friendly, courteous, customer-oriented service. EVENT CAPABILITIES THE NEW HOPE FAMILY LIFE CENTER is equipped with a state-of-the-art full commercial kitchen. This facility can provide general banquet seating for 450 people or 650 capacity seating for plays and concerts. A standing audience of 1,000 for an art or reception-type event can also be accommodated. The elegant décor not only provides a pleasant environment for dining, seminars, plays, or musicals, but the distributed sound system also provides a diverse, well-rounded, acoustically balanced environment for both vocal and musical performances. Well-lighted spacious parking is complementary and included in the base rental fee. For information regarding the use of the New Hope Family Life Center, please contact the administrative offices of New Hope Baptist Church at: 303.322.5200 or Events@NewHopeChurchDenver.org visit us online at: NewHopeChurchDenver.org THE NEW HOPE FAMILY LIFE CENTER IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR USE! for more info contact us at: 303.322.5200 or Events@NewHopeChurchDenver.org Manual High School, Class of 1967 Manual High School's class of 1967 commemorat- ed their Golden Class Reunion. This wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't for whom some of the members of this class are. To begin, we must first look at why Manual High School was started. "Manual High School is one of the oldest schools in the area. The original building was located near the current one, and opened its doors in 1892." The school was started as a vocational school because it was highly assumed that black and Hispanic students could not accomplish higher education as Doctors, Lawyers, and Engineers, etc. Therefore, Manual was also one of the first schools in Denver to educate African-Americans. After the original building burned to the ground, the current school was rebuilt and open in 1952. It was an institution deeply woven into the fab- ric of the community. For a school that was to teach under-achieving youngsters, Manual has graduated four Mayors in the USA. Denver's two black Mayors, i.e., Honorable Wellington E. Webb (class of the 50s) Mayor Michael B. Handcock, (class of the 80s. Honorable Patsy Jo Hilliard, Mayor of May East Point GA, (class of the 50s) Honorable Norman Rice, Mayor of Seattle WA, (class of the 60s) the son Otha Rice, Sr. the first originator of Juneteenth in Denver's Historically Culture District 5 points. State Representative, and founder of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Colorado Holiday Commission Honorable Wilma J. Webb, (class of the 60s). Additionally, the Senior Special Collections, and Community Resource Manager of the Blair- Caldwell African American Research Library only one of five such librar- ies in the USA and Vice Chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission Honorable Dr. Charleszine "Terry" Nelson (class of the 50s). The Honorable Elbra Mae Wedgeworth (class of the 70s) the former chairperson of the committee to bring the DNC to the Mile High City, where we witness the first Black President of the USA nominated as the candidate of the Democratic Party. Additionally, there were other schol- ars and community leaders, in posi- tions of leadership all around the USA. Speaking of the type of guidance and commitment of the teachers at Manual High school. Okay, enough of that, let's talk about the class of 1967 a class that in its rights can boast about their alumni. The class of 1967 made their mark, or you can say marked their territory by donated the school symbol the "M" with the Thunderbolt going through it that is placed in the school's flourier for all to see. This class embraced their future and were inspired by some of those class- mates that graduation before them. They were not to be denied of their full potential. On Thursday, June 8th, 1967 the class of Manual High School consisted of 168 girls and 150 boys. The class alumni included folks such as Rod Juniel, Denver's first Black Fire Chief, Dr. Sandra Powell, Founder and Pastor of Soul Care Full Gospel Center, Dr. Willie C. Singleton, Cosmetologist, Instructor, Singer, Dancer, Choreographer, Designer and a Chef, Sterling Hatch, Jr., Deputy Sheriff Denver. Theodis Hall, Manual High School and Colorado State University sports stand-out, Career Counselor & Human Resource Analysts. Ray Fisher, City & County of Denver Manager/Supervisor and Transportation/ Business Owner. Jennifer Ford- Keel Educator. Debora Baker Educator. Joann Williams, Banker. Kenneth McVey, Entrepreneur, and Barbara Hatch-Reynolds Corporate America. There are so much more successes of the class of 1967 that we can write about, however; this is just a sample of the dynamics of this class. Congratulations to the class of 1967 on your 50th and Golden Class Celebration. Story and photo by Dr. Vern L. Howard