The Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club is about to make some local prospective college kids happy.

The club’s 40th annual reunion wraps up this weekend with its annual Happiness Is… Coming Home theme. The club will see about $10,000 in scholarships awarded to 13 local students, said Willie Glasper, club president.

The scholarships and awards brunch will be Saturday morning at 10 at St. Mary’s Center at Main and Second North streets. Dr. Terence James, a math instructor at Vicksburg Junior High School, will be the guest speaker.

Glasper said all scholarships this year are given to recent high school graduates.

“In years past we’ve awarded scholarships to college students, but this year we are awarding 13 Vicksburg and Warren Central high school students with scholarships,” he said.

With all the Fourth of July events Glasper said, 250 or more former Vicksburg residents from across the country will come home for this year’s four-day bash.

The Kickoff Social begins at 9 p.m. Friday St. Mary’s Center.

The VHBC began its annual reunion in 1975, when founder Booker T. Wilson attended a family event and decided Vicksburg needed an annual celebration to reunite family and friends.

Over the years, the scholarship awards have become one of the highlights of the club’s activities, and last year the VHBC added awards to high school and junior high students who participate in essay and oratorical contests.

“We don’t just do scholarships, we also do financial assistance,” Glasper said. “We help people after fires and other disasters.”

Other events over the weekend include a golf tournament Saturday at Clear Creek Golf Course; a Saturday night banquet and DJ-led dance at St. Mary’s Center; and a Sunday morning worship service at Bethel AME Church.

Tickets are available from any VHBC member.