PHOTO PROVIDED From left are Williamsport Area High School Class of 2009 graduates Robert Singleton III, Joshua Chisolm, Razzaaq Taylor and Aleshia Blanton. The four were recognized by the leaders of Unity Christian Fellowship Church who are moving on to either continue their education or enlist in the military.

By GREG HAYES ghayes@sungazette.com The Rev. Quinton and Adrienne Blanton of Unity Christian Fellowship Church, 734 W. Fourth St., are continuing a legacy that Bishop Sidney Wheatley began 13 years ago to reinforce the importance of education in the church’s young congregates. On June 21, the church recognized 10 graduates, six of them high school graduates from Williams­port Area High School, who are moving on to either continue their education or enlist in the military. “We have a relatively small congregation of about 70 to 80 members,” said Shallary Simmons Duncan, youth adviser. “This means about 10 percent of the congregation (is moving on).” Duncan said 13 years ago, Wheatley set out to abolish the stereotype of being a smart student, and promoted the importance of school and ways of seeking out one’s own identity through ways that are much healthier.