Choice of Weapons Award winners

Cast members of the Gordon Parks-directed 1969 film “The Learning Tree,” shared their memories of working on the film, and provided some insight into their careers during a panel discussion Friday morning in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

The event, part of the 2019 Gordon Parks Celebration, featured Karole Graham, who portrayed Big Mabel, and S. Pearl Sharp, who played Prissy. Stephen Perry, who played Jappy in the film, was not able to attend the event, titled “A Conversation with Choice of Weapons Honorees.”

The trio were honored at the Celebration Tribute Dinner Saturday night at the River Room. The 50th anniversary of “The Learning Tree” was the theme of this year’s celebration. The Choice of Weapons Award, named after Parks’ autobiography of the same name, was established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration.

Dr. Giselle Anatol, from left, Karole Graham and S. Pearl Sharp share a laugh during a discussion about working on “The Learning Tree” Friday morning in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

Jason E. Silvers

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Posing for photographs following the presentation of the Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award Saturday evening are, from left, Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp, award recipients Karole Graham and S. Pearl Sharp, and Gordon Parks’ son, David Parks.

Tammy Helm