2011 HAL Scholarship Awards

Columnists, Kim's Kronicles — By Kim Webster on December 5, 2011 at 6:27 am

Cover Photo- Otis Williams,(C) the only original surviving member of the Temptations, is flanked by eternal beauties Judy Pace(L) and Beverly Todd (R). Inside photo-The Temptations(L-R) Dennis Edwards, Bruce Williamson, Otis Williams, Joe Herndon, Ron Tyson and Terry Weeks. Both photos by Kim Webster.

By Kim Webster

BEVERLY HILLS CA – It was Temptations fever when original member/founder Otis Williams, Dennis Edwards, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, and Bruce Williamson set foot on the red carpet. Cameras flashed and everyone wanted a picture with the Temptations. The legacy began with the late Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin and continues with surviving member/founder Otis Williams. Just like their new CD entitled “Still Here”, the “Tempts” signature harmony and stage style is still here. When accepting their ICON Award they acknowledged the memory of the original “Tempts” and recently deceased member Ali Ollie Woodson.

Martha Reeves. Photo by Kim Webster.

Hal's Kids (L-R) Harrell Holmes Jr., Philicia Saunders, Jenae Elise Loofbourrow, Ronit Silberstein and Christopher Burnett. Photo by Kim Webster

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JoMarie Payton hosted the Heroes and Legends (HAL) Scholarship Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Presenters from the artistic community gathered to honor legendary performers, positive role models, and awarded talented young people with scholarships. Honorees this year were: CORNERSTONE AWARD – Sonja Norwood/talent manager &TV producer; ACHIEVEMENT in MUSIC AWARD – Ray Parker Jr./recording artist, composer, producer, actor; LEGACY AWARD – Bobby Womack/recording artist, guitarist, songwriter; TRIUMPH AWARD – Ray Brown/music industry executive/producer.

Founder and Producer of the HAL Awards, Janie Bradford, who wrote and co-wrote several Motown hits, established the scholarship awards to assist talented young people in accomplishing their dreams. “I hope to do musical theatre when I graduate,” said Jenae Elise Loofbourrow, who attends Point Loma University. Other awardees were: Philicia Saunders who graduated from Princeton and now attends grad school, Ronit Silberstein , Harrell Holmes Jr., Christopher Burnett, and Ranzel Merritt. For more information please go to www.halawards.com.