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Arvia Shanell Hall
Arvia Hall is only African-American DHS valedictorian
posted Jan 9, 2013 - 12:06:40pm
The Deltona DreamKeepers have invited DeLand High School’s only African-American valedictorian to be the keynote speaker at this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Celebration.
Arvia Shanell Hall, formerly Arvia Bruten, will deliver an inspirational address at the kickoff event, a breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at New Hope Baptist Church, 2855 Lake Helen-Osteen Road in Deltona.
A native of Volusia County, Hall is the only African-American student to have been named valedictorian at DeLand High School during the school’s history, which dates back to 1907.
Hall graduated as valedictorian in 1990, and went on to earn a degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
The theme of this year’s MLK celebration in Deltona will be the question “What would Dr. King say if he were here today?”
In addition to the breakfast, which will include entertainment along with Hall’s speech, the Deltona DreamKeepers have planned a Gospel Program at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at Deltona Alliance Church, 921 Deltona Blvd.
The gospel concert is free, and will be followed by a candlelight vigil.
Tickets for the breakfast cost $10 and will be available at the door or by contacting one of the organizers, Mike Williams, by calling 386-804-6136.
“We invite the community to come celebrate the dream of Dr. King,” Williams said.
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