Ossoli Club presents 73rd Annual May Day Festival

May Day can mean many things to many people, but for the people of Corbin it has a special meaning.  Now, in case you have recently moved to our city, what follows is an explanation and mini history of May Day.

The Ossoli Club of Corbin is a member of the Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The Ossoli Club has been involved in community improvement since 1939, the year after the Club was organized.  A good many of the founding members were teachers. That year there was a child in school who needed a tonsillectomy which the family could not afford.  The Club paid for the tonsillectomy. Next came milk.  The Club funded the (then) three grade schools with milk for every child to have at morning recess. And just like today the need and cost of milk kept increasing. So, in May 1944, the first May Day was held as a fundraiser.

The following year, 1945, the Club initiated a push for a community hospital.  After mountains of paperwork and campaigning door to door, a hospital bond issue was passed in 1949 and in 1951 the Southeast Kentucky Baptist Hospital opened. The Club also initiated a movement for a youth center in Corbin. With help from other clubs and organizations, the first Corbin Youth Center opened in 1952. Through the years since that first May Day, the Club has donated to many, many programs and fundraising campaigns in the community.  Some examples would include: the first Whitley County Bookmobile, seating and lighting in the Corbin High School Redhound Theater, furnishing the Corbin Public Library Community Room, purchasing the Nativity (which is displayed each Christmas season in front of City Hall), helping the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter, Friends of the Colonel, Corbin Garden Club, Baptist Health Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and the Empty Stocking Fund. Additionally, through the Corbin City Schools the Club has helped school clubs and teams with educational field trips, competition trips, the honors day breakfast, and equipment.

That’s “the who and why” of May Day and now for “what and when.”

May Day involves local children from preschool through high school in fundraising, community involvement, and creative performance.  The May Day Queens’ races center around a fundraising competition between girls in two different age brackets. Tenth grade girls compete for the title of May Day Queen, and girls of kindergarten age compete for the title of Tiny Queen. Votes are cast for each candidate by contributing to her fundraising campaign. Collection boxes are placed at the candidates’ sponsoring merchants.

These merchants graciously help with May Day every year by hosting the queen candidates’ collection boxes.

The Queens are crowned, their courts are presented, and the musical program is performed on May Day evening.
Half of the May Day fundraising proceeds each year go to the classrooms of the groups that participate in the program.  The other half is used by the Ossoli Club to fund community improvement projects and programs (as described earlier).  So, making a contribution to the candidate of your choice is also making a contribution to your community.

Votes cast by check should be made payable to the Ossoli Foundation with the name of the candidate on the check’s memo line.  The Ossoli Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and all donations are tax deductible.

The theme of this year’s May Day is “May Day Salutes Corbin.”  The event starts at 7:30pm on Friday, May 5, at the Arena.  Ticket information will be provided at a later date.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Meet the 2017 May Day Candidates:

Christina Elizabeth Grace Anderson is the 16-year-old daughter of Jeff and Michele Anderson. She enjoys photography, art, Thespian Society, CHS choir, softball, and dance. She is sponsored by Corbin Flower Shop.

Kaibry Anna-Leigh Ball is the 16-year-old daughter of Kamille Smith and Ronnie Ball. She enjoys choir, piano, and dance. She is sponsored by Morton’s Discount Drugs.

Rachel Mae Bonnell is the 16-year-old daughter of Allen and Robin Bonnell. She enjoys soccer, dance, theatre, youth group, Y-Club, and piano. She is sponsored by Corbin Animal Health and Wellness.

Ebony Tye Burke is the 16-year-old daughter of Kricket Davis and Johnny Davis. She enjoys CHS swim team, Kentucky Junior Historical Society, and FBLA. She is sponsored by Gover Floral.

Hollie Beth Clifton is the 16-year-old daughter of Keith and Laura Clifton. She enjoys Dazzler Dance team, HOSA, Y-Club, Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, KJHS, and Academic Team. She is sponsored by Whitaker Bank Master Street.

Abbigail Chawntey Disney is the 16-year-old daughter of Sean Disney and Angela Disney. She enjoys singing, dancing, and theatre. She is sponsored by Creative Touch Jewelers.

Shayla Mirae Eubanks is the 15-year-old daughter of Derek and Sandy Eubanks. She is sponsored by Hometown Bank Main Branch.

Bailee Elizabeth Gibbs is the 16-year-old daughter of Eric and Mickie Gibbs. She enjoys Y Club, Thespian Society, KJHS, choir, and basketball and is treasurer of the sophomore class. She is sponsored by Creech and Gibbs Pharmacy.

Sarah Elizabeth Gilbert is the 16-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Gilbert. She enjoys FBLA, Science Technology Leadership program, swimming, reading, golf, tennis, and cooking. She is sponsored by House of S & J.

Emma Marie Grigsby is the 15-year-old daughter of Mervo and Cindy Grigsby. She enjoys dance, and spending time with family and friends. She is sponsored by Corbin 1-hr Cleaners.

Harleigh Madison Grubb is the 16-year-old daughter of John and Jaime Grubb. She enjoys basketball, softball, Y-Club, Pep Club, and church youth group. She is sponsored by Wyatt Insurance.

Hannah Elizabeth Harrison is the 15-year-old daughter of Michael and Tonya Harrison. She enjoys running cross country, track and field, hiking, mission work, and dancing. She is sponsored by Alley Stuff.

Jillian Cate Helton is the 16-year-old daughter of Joey and Amy Helton. She enjoys CHS soccer. She is sponsored by Forcht Bank Main Branch.

Madison Elizabeth  Hopper is the 15-year-old daughter of Michael Hopper and Marcee Hopper. She enjoys dance, Dazzler dance team, HOSA, and First Baptist youth group. She is sponsored by Hopper Physical Therapy.

Morgan Alyse Hopper is the 15-year-old daughter of Michael Hopper and Marcee Hopper. She enjoys dance, Dazzler dance team, HOSA, and First Baptist youth group. She is sponsored by Hopper Physical Therapy.

Lauren Alexis Hubbs is the 16-year-old daughter of Shane and Mindy Hubbs. She enjoys camping, spending time at the lake, and anything summer. She is sponsored by Whitaker Bank Main Branch.

Jenna Faith Johnson is the 16-year-old daughter of Dale and Lisa Johnson. She enjoys CHS soccer, CHS theatre, Y-Club, Poplar Grove youth group, choir, and piano. She is sponsored by Forcht Bank South Corbin.

Karli Paulette Johnson is the 16-year-old daughter of Brittany Sears and Jamie Johnson. She enjoys CHS Softball, CHS Swim Team, Photography Club, FBLA, and First Baptist Youth Group. She is sponsored by Pizza & Company.

Payton Camille Jones is the 16-year-old daughter of Kyle and Stacy Jones. She enjoys CHS Volleyball, Horizon Volleyball Club, bicycling, longboarding, and wakeboarding. She is sponsored by Lloyd Williams Jeweler.

Sarah Elizabeth Kendell Taylor Lewis is the 16-year-old daughter of Wendell and Victoria Lewis and Elizabeth and Phillip Davenport. She enjoys choir and archery. She is sponsored by Game King.

Lauren Ashley Lockaby is the 16-year-old daughter of Arthur and Shanda Lockaby. She enjoys dance, Kentucky Junior Historical Society, Y-Club, and Group 99 church youth. She is sponsored by Cumberland Valley National Bank South Corbin branch.

Savannah Camille Moore is the 16-year-old daughter of Willard and Darlene McBurney. She enjoys cheerleading, track and field, dance, Science Olympiad, Y-Club, gymnastics, Pep Club. She is sponsored by Cumberland Valley National Bank East Corbin.

Alexia Paige Petrey is the 15-year-old daughter of the late Ashley Petrey Walters and Bryan and Jessica Hinkle. She enjoys choir, First Baptist youth group, listening to music, and reading. She is sponsored by Hinkle Printing.

Caroline Grace Reedy is the 17-year-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Harold Reedy. She enjoys tennis, swimming, gymnastics, track, Y-Club, FBLA, and STLP and was Miss Sophomore 2017. She is sponsored by Hear Better Hearing Aids.

Lindsi Alyssa Rose is the 16-year-old daughter of Kim Evans and Eric Evans. She enjoys golf, gymnastics, and FBLA. She is sponsored by PT Pros.
Karmyn Hope Sams is the 15-year-old daughter of Marlon and Tonya Sams. She enjoys Gail Frederick School of Dance and church youth group. She is sponsored by the Wrigley Taproom.

Marlana Brooke Skinner is the 15-year-old daughter of Jeff and Lori Keck. She enjoys reading, cross country, and track and field. She is sponsored by Maggie J’s.
Dayah Bethany Smith is the 16-year-old daughter of Philip and Cynthia Smith. She enjoys Y-Club, Thespian Society, choir, and marching band. She is sponsored by Smith, White & Associates.

Lauren Elizabeth Storms is the 16-year-old daughter of T.R and Karen Storms. She is sponsored by Johnny Wheels.

Makayla Lynn Thomas is the 15-year-old daughter of Gary and Marva Gambrel. She enjoys track and field, Science Olympiad, academic team, First Priority, and dance. She is sponsored by Hometown Bank Master Street.

Lura Catherine Whitus is the 16-year-old daughter of Chuck and Angela Whitus. She enjoys Kentucky Junior Historial Society, Gail Frederick Dazzlers, and Shiner Church of Christ youth group. She is sponsored by Bubby’s BBQ.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Meet the 2017  May Day Tiny Queen Candidates:

Julia Marie Butler is the 5-year-old daughter of Dr. Christina Butler, Mr. Patrick McHugh, and Mr. Greg Butler. She enjoys playing soccer, competitive swimming, piano, ballet, and gymnastics. She is sponsored by Wyatt Insurance.

Malia Grace French is the 5-year-old daughter of Jon and Megan French. She enjoys gymnastics and ballet at Gail Frederick’s, playing soccer, and singing in church Christmas plays. She is sponsored by Dew Drop Pottery.

Jayce Analyne Haddix is the 5-year-old daughter of Justin and Melissa Haddix. She enjoys Dazzlers All-Star Dance Team, ballet, tap, and gymnastics. She is sponsored by Cumberland Valley National Bank East Corbin.

Ella Meadow Hammons is the 6-year-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Johnny B. Hammons II. She enjoys tennis, swimming, drawing, dance, basketball, soccer, and church. She is sponsored by Corbin 1-Hr. Cleaners.

Ava Marie Jones is the 5-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Jones. She enjoys gymnastics, ballet, soccer, church activities, making crafts, and swimming. She is sponsored by House of S&J.

Lillie Belle Martin is the 5-year-old daughter of Rick and Donna Cummins. She enjoys swimming, fishing, and art. She is sponsored by Forcht Bank South Corbin.

Adelyn Elizabeth Mason is the 6-year-old daughter of Brian and Jessica Mason. She enjoys All-star dancing, reading, playing games, and swimming. She is sponsored by Wrigley Taproom.

Kennedi Reagan Nicole Mayo is the 4-year-old daughter of Chris Mayo and Natasha Cima Mayo. She enjoys ballet, gymnastics, and soccer and is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She is sponsored by Maggie J’s.

Anna Jo Sams is the 6-year-old daughter of Shane and Jocelyn Sams. She enjoys ballet, tap, gymnastics, Dazzlers All-star dance team, and swimming. She is sponsored by Corbin Flower Shop.

Macy Ella Wilder is the 5-year-old daughter of Travis and Kim Wilder. She enjoys gymnastics and playing with her sisters, Emma and Addi. She is sponsored by Creative Touch Jewelers.