The Newton County branch of the NAACP YOUTH will host a Community Appreciation Gala at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Henderson's Restaurant Banquet Hall on Ga. Highway 36.

"The YOUTH, since I have been director, has never let community leaders know how much we appreciate what they are doing," said Cathalene Perry, Newton County NAACP YOUTH director.

Teenage members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in the county have invited representatives from the sheriff's office, the Minister's Union, the Newton County Community Partnership and several other civic organizations to the gala.

The event's keynote speaker will be Alison Dawn Smith Jackson, assistant principal at West Newton Elementary School.

Jackson, a former member of the Newton County NAACP YOUTH, graduated from Newton County High School in 1987.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Hampton University in 1991, her Master of Education from Brenau University and specialist degree in educational leadership from Georgia College & State University.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.