to attend Columbus State University to receive a master’s degree in public administration. Other students said they felt a connection with Menafee and her historic deed. “It’s been a pleasure and a true honor to come to Voorhees knowing that the founder is from my hometown,” said Branton Smith, biology major. “I can honestly say that when I stepped on this campus for the first time, I felt a spiritual connection with her.” During Smith’s freshman year, he, along with six other young men, reestablished the White Rose Social Club in 2009. The White Rose Social Club was originally founded by Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Menafee in 1904; this was the first student service organization on campus. “Menafee founded our organization in an effort to help men learn how to help themselves become better men,” Smith said. Smith plans to attend the University of Georgia to pursue a master’s degree in microbiology. Since coming to Voorhees, one student felt that she has been inspired to do her very best always. Brittany S. Horton, biology major said, “I feel elated and overly excited having a founder from a small town like Talbotton, Ga. Our founder inspired me to do my best and to believe that anything is possible as long as you have God, Faith, a supportive family and the willingness to succeed.” Horton’s ultimate goal is to become an anesthesiologist. All of the Talbotton Five have been successful during their matriculation at Voorhees, but one in particular has gone into Voorhees history by becoming the first-ever Miss Voorhees College to hail from historic Talbotton. Britney Smith, Miss Voorhees College 2011-2012, said it has been an honor to be the first queen from Talbotton. “My role is very important being that I am the first Miss Voorhees College from Talbotton and also being in the first class,” said Britney, biology major. “I have worked hard to set a positive example for future queens to follow.” Smith, who hopes to attend Mercer University to receive a pharmacy degree, is a Presidential Scholar and a member of the Honors College and the Eta Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. “I understand that our founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Menafee, worked hard to pave the way for young people like myself, and I feel that by being from Talbotton, it is also up to me, and my peers, to continue her legacy.” Being a part of the first class from Talbotton has been rewarding for one of the Talbotton Five. “I have been given so many opportunities because I am a part of the first graduating class for Talbotton,” said Naeisha Owens, a criminal justice major and a member of the Eta Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. “I feel every staff member has taken a hands-on approach to making sure this isn’t the end of our journey, allowing each one of us to progress forward by providing us with trips to get into graduate school and instilling in us the value of hard work and determination.”
Above: Branton Smith (right) participates in a history pilgrimage during his freshman year. Below: (left to right) Brittany Horton, Britney Smith and Naeisha Owens participating in a history pilgrimage on the campus of Tuskegee University during their freshman year.
The Voorhees Voice
9