Daon Wall Rotary Scholarship Benefit Feb. 4

Published or Revised August 01, 2006

Movie star impersonators, dancers, singers, flashy evening attire and a great meal will highlight the Daon Wall Rotary Scholarship Benefit on Feb. 4. "Hooray for Hollywood" is the theme of the evening, and local talent will fill the principal roles of actors, chorus lines and all the other glitz and glitter that goes with a Hollywood production. The benefit will begin at 6 p.m. in the Love Civic Center. The early arrivals will enter on red carpet and see themselves on the big screen inside while being interviewed by Jean Gant, aka Joan Rivers. "It is going to be a fun evening for a good cause - and that is raising money to help send students to Paris Junior College," said Jo Ann Parkman, Rotary Scholarship chairman. "It was Daon's passion to do this, and we are continuing the program because these scholarships are awarded to those graduates from Lamar County high schools who really need help going to college." The Rotary Scholarship Benefit, in its 11th year, has raised funds to provide need-based scholarships to PJC for more than 160 graduating seniors in Lamar County. Rotarians will award close to two dozen scholarships again this summer. The evening will be filled with good food, good entertainment and a lot of fun, according to coordinator and PJC Institutional Development Director Johnye Robertson. She said locals portraying Bogart, Bacall, Shreck and Madonna and others would perform movie skits. Oscars will be awarded during the evening, most likely by one of emcee Paul Swasko's alter-personalities. Oscars will be handed out for best actor, best actress, costuming, music and film. To be a part of the show and enjoy the dinner and entertainment, tickets are only $50 each. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to purchase a complete table of seating so friends and coworkers can enjoy the evening together. Tickets are available from Rotary Club members and at the PJC Alumni Office. For table reservations and seating, call the Alumni Office at 903-737-4321. "We hope everyone will join in the fun, attend in costume if they like, and remember that this is for a very good cause - to provide scholarships to PJC for those first-generation college students, the ones who need assistance," Parkman said. "Folks in Paris and Lamar County have always been supportive of this great project, and we know they will this year."