From the Belhaven General Alumni Association

The Belhaven General Alumni Association will host its fifty-seventh annual homecoming celebration from May 10 to 12. The theme for this year is “Linked Together In Unity, Serving Together With Purpose.”

Festivities will officially begin with the arrival of alumni on Friday morning and the highlight of the day will be the annual banquet at 7:00 P.M. at the Boys & Girls Club located on Pantego Street. Attire is semi-formal and donations of $35 are requested.

The keynote address will be delivered by Kimberly Windley Manning, the daughter of Kenneth Windley and the late Rose Henderson Windley. Manning is a member of the Class of 1989, the last graduating class of the former John A Wilkinson High School.
Voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by her peers, she attended Beaufort County Community College where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 1992. She then earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Healthcare Administration degree from the University of Phoenix in 2008 and is currently pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Nursing and Healthcare Administration from Western Governor’s University.

Currently employed as a Quality Nurse Specialist II for Vidant Medical Group, specializing in regulatory affairs, accreditation and peer review, she earned national accreditation as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality in 2018.
Manning was previously employed as a director of nursing for a long-term care facility, regional operations director for both an assisted living facility and a hospice agency. She also served as a lead school nurse for Washington County Schools and as chief nursing officer for a critical access hospital.
Married to her high school sweetheart, they are the parents of three children and have one grandson. A member of Southern Beauty Chapter #46, OES in Belhaven and the Belhaven Alumni Club, she actively participates in the American Cancer’s Relay for Life.
The evening will culminate with the presentation of alumni awards to selected members of the Northside High School current graduating class and selected members of the Alumni family.
The Classes of 1949, 1959 and 1979 will be recognized with special recognition given to the John A. Wilkinson High School Classes of 1969 and 1989.

The Class of 1969, the first class to graduate after dismantling of the dual school system in Beaufort County, will be recognized as the golden anniversary class and the Class of 1989 as the last class to graduate from the school. The presentation will be followed by a memorial service.
Saturday’s activities will begin with the mile-long parade featuring a number of local marching groups and community organizations. Members of the American Legion Post No. 249 will serve as color guard. Parade formation is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Railroad Street. Any individual or organization interested in participating should contact Brenda Cherry at 252-943-8203 or any member of the Belhaven Alumni Club.
The Alumni Festival will be held throughout the day on the lawn of the former school and will be coordinated by Valery Fonville (252-964–2080), Onika Slade (252-943-4765) and Delray Jennette (252-495-3258).

Class reunions will be held throughout the day and will be announced by class coordinators. Individuals and groups interested in reserving space should contact the event coordinators or any club member for a registration form or for additional info.
Alumni worship services will be held at the St. Reddick Missionary Baptist Church, Pamlico Street, at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The guest speaker will be Thomas Selby, the son of the late Harry T. and Mary Ward Selby.
After leaving Wilkinson High School in 1979, Selby enlisted in the United States Army where he served for nine years. He then was employed in the electrical machinery field in several states. Ordained as a deacon at the Mt. Olive Pentecostal Faith Holiness Church, he is now a member of the White Plains Church Ministry.
The father of three children, he lives in Greenville.
A cordial invitation is extended to all to share in the festivities.