The Scotland County NAACP Youth Council will celebrate its 2009 Juneteenth program June 19 at Franklin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church at 6 p.m.

Rena McNeil, ACT-SO chairperson for the organization, reflected on the significance of the occasion.

"The purpose of celebrating 'Juneteenth' is to bring observance of the actual day the last remaining slaves in the deep South found out they had been freed," McNeil said. "It is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, and a day of pride."

The guest speaker for the event will be Tony Harrington.

Special guests for the program will be the 2009 ACT-SO Gold Stars. Smoked turkey and other items will be sold.