St. Philip's College Hosts the National Night Out Kickoff Event

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 30, 2008) --- St. Philip’s College joins the community to fight crime during the College’s 2008 National Night Out Community Kickoff event Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Heritage Pavilion at 1801 Martin Luther King Drive.

“The kickoff is where our neighbors come to give crime a going away party,” said SPC organizer Deborah Gee. “Our National Night Out event rejuvenates people to find out what they can do to protect their neighborhoods,” said Gee. “When they get here, they find out it’s actually fun,” Gee said.

The popular College event that is free and open to the public is one day before the 2008 National Night Out community-police partnership program in San Antonio that builds awareness about police programs in communities. The College program is more than a tribute to College awareness and community awareness on a serious subject, explained Gee. It is also the largest program of its type on a college campus in the city. The activity schedule also includes free food and Music For ya Soul in concert at the Heritage Pavilion. Students from the School of Excellence will attend, and a 40-person dance group for seniors is also confirmed to do line dances on the campus, Gee said.

“I am excited about this opportunity to partner with St. Philips,” said Juan Ayala, the City of San Antonio National Night Out 2008 events coordinator. “The kickoff at the college shows how concerned citizens can unite at their convenience to decrease criminal activity,” said Ayala.

St. Philip’s College is the only college in San Antonio with a National Night Out pre-event, according to Ruben Guerrero, an SPC employee who has participated in previous kickoffs.

“Four years ago, Debora Gee had the idea to have a pre-event to increase community and college participation in the program,” said Guerrero. Since then our neighbors have been learning how much St. Philip’s College values security on its campuses in comparison to the rest of the city,” Guerrero said.

Music For ya Soul vocalist Myron Johnson is excited about the group’s upcoming part in the event.

“It’s very special to be part of the community for National Night Out,” Johnson said. “We find it an honor and a pleasure to perform at St. Philip’s College. Hopefully we can bring smiles to faces and have a memorable National Night Out in San Antonio. Music For ya Soul sings Cameo, Earth Wind and Fire, and The Ohio Players. You’ll be sure to have a good time with this band.”

CAPTION: The 2008 National Night Out Kickoff at St. Philip’s College is the only event of its type on a college campus in San Antonio. Previous programs have been popular with taxpayers and such community dignitaries as SPC President Dr. Adena Williams Loston (left) and San Antonio Police Department Chief of Police Chief William P. McManus (Archive images by SPC).