Hope was the theme for Emporia Celebrities in Disguise III: Return of the Masks on Saturday night.
Beacon for Hope Suicide Prevention Director Melissa Owen says the event was a good way to kick off activities for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with two big events ahead this upcoming weekend — leading off with the Hope Links Us Together Walk on Sept. 16.
The walk will be followed by a special release party at the Granada Theatre at 6 pm Sept. 16 as Beacon rolls out its docuseries called “Stronger Than the Storm,” highlighting stories of local residents who have battled depression and suicidal ideation.
Beacon and Emporia High GSA are the beneficiaries of Celebrities in Disguise. GSA’s Bella Turner says the group wants to bring in speakers later this year. She says creating safe spaces at the school is an important venture.
Verlin Conkle won the combination talent-and-guessing contest.
Jeanine McKenna became the first judge to correctly guess all participants — on the first try — in the three-year history of the contest.
Meanwhile, Beacon’s second annual Hope with Horsepower car show is Oct. 7. The fourth annual Unmasking Suicide Masquerade Ball is Nov. 4.
Click here for a YouTube Short video.
*Ryann Brooks as “Bow-E”
*Connie Cahoone as “Yeehaw”
*Verlin Conkle as “Ken”
*Renee Hively as “Wonder”
*Brent Thomas as “Bandit”
*Casey Woods as “CoMando”
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
