Twenty-five young people, five individuals and four service organizations were honored Saturday, Jan. 17, with awards from the Martin Luther King, Jr., West Virginia Holiday Commission as part of the state’s observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. The awards ceremony was held during an invitation-only luncheon at the Cultural Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston.
Sponsored by the Commission, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and West Virginia State University, awards were given for the YWCA’s “Project on Racism” essay contest, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. poster contest, the Service Organization Honor Roll and the “Living the Dream” awards.
YWCA 16th Annual “Project on Racism”
Essay Contest Winners
“The Dream is Alive”
Grades 1-2
First Place - Nathan King, Sutton Elementary School, Sutton
Second Place - Claire-Elizabeth V. Ford, Homeschooled, Gerrardstown
Third Place - Leigha Barrett, Kellogg Elementary School, Huntington
Grades 3-5
First Place - Blake Kiger, Mannington Middle School, Mannington
Second Place - Connor Sobolewski, Mannington Middle School, Mannington
Third Place - Tatyania Mason, Madison Elementary School, Wheeling
Grades 6-8
First Place - Isabella Malone, Bridgeport Middle School, Bridgeport
Second Place - Alex Murray, Bridgeport Middle School, Bridgeport
Third Place - Logan Flint, Collins Middle School, Oak Hill
Grades 9-12
First Place - Doree Conley, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling
First Place - Jenna Sankoff, Capital High School, Charleston
Second Place - Alex Sims, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling
Third Place - William “Billy” Maiden, St. Marys High School, St. Marys
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, inc.
24th annual POSTER Contest winners
“The Dream is Alive”
Grades K-5
First Place - Kelly R. Irvine, Grade 3, Poca Elementary School, Poca
Second Place - Victoria L. Ford, Grade 5, Homeschooled, Gerrardstown
Third Place - Claire-Elizabeth V. Ford, Grade 2, Homeschooled, Gerrardstown
Grades 6-8
First Place - Dakarai A. Petty, Grade 7, Dunbar Middle School, Dunbar
Second Place - Dakota T. Kerns, Grade 8, Taylor County Middle School, Grafton
Third Place - Tyler M. Mayle, Grade 7, Taylor County Middle School, Grafton
Grades 9-12
First Place - Gregory S. Hatfield, Grade 11, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Second Place - Travis L. Singer, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Third Place - Kenneth H. Warrix, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Grades 9-12 (Category: Mixed Media)
First Place - Nathan A. Ward, Grade 11, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Second Place - Brian K. Ford, Grade 11, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Third Place - Elizabeth D. McCoy, Grade 10, Lincoln County High School, Hamlin
“Living the Dream” Service Organization Honor Roll
Charleston Black Ministerial Alliance, Inc., Charleston
Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action, Dunbar and Huntington
Old Brick Playhouse Theater Group, Elkins
Storer College National Alumni Association, Harpers Ferry
“Living the Dream” Awards
Dr. Dana D. Brooks, Morgantown, Human and Civil Rights
Dr. Lynda Ann Ewen, Huntington, Advocate of Peace
Dr. Charles Ledbetter, Nitro, Scholarship
Bishop Fred T. Simms, Beckley, Sharing of Self
L. Newton Thomas, Jr., Charleston, Governor’s “Living the Dream” Award
The mission of the Commission is to provide programs celebrating the life and principles of King’s philosophy of non-violence, lengthening his legacy. Strengthened by diversity, the Commission draws together members who strive to create opportunity for growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Its administrative offices are located at the Cultural Center in the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, which also houses the state archives and state museum. The Cultural Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. The agency also operates a network of museums and historic sites across the state. For more information about the Division’s programs, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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