The Martin Luther King, Jr. West Virginia Holiday Commission is seeking nominees for the “Living the Dream” awards to be presented as part of the national Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday observance. The public is invited to nominate candidates for the awards. The holiday will be celebrated on Jan. 18, 2010.
The Commission will present five awards to individuals who best exemplify, through action or personal traits, the principles and ideals characterizing the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his pursuit of social change. Any person, regardless of race, color or creed, may be nominated in the following categories:
1. Advocate of Peace–one who has been an advocate of nonviolent social change.
2. Sharing of Self–one who has rendered service to others in the public or private sector.
3. Human and Civil Rights–one who has been actively involved in the pursuit of equality for others. This person should be an advocate for social change.
4. Scholarship–one who has made significant contributions in the area of education.
5. Governor’s Living the Dream Award–one who best exemplifies all the characteristics of justice, scholarship, sharing of self, human and civil rights, and advocacy of peace. A person with a heightened sense of civic awareness and public service.
The Commission also will place up to three state service organizations on the Living the Dream Service Organization Honor Roll. Qualifying organizations must have demonstrated one or more of the following principles for which King stood: the promotion of human and civil rights; providing assistance to under-served communities; promotion of tolerance; and resolving conflict in a nonviolent manner.
Letters of nomination for individuals or organizations must be received by Dec. 7, 2009. The letters must be less than two pages in length and give specific examples of why the nominee should be recognized. A biography of the nominee also must be included. Documentation in the form of clippings, testimonials or excerpts from other printed materials by or about the candidate may be included to support the nomination. Applications must include the name of the person submitting the nomination, as well as an address and daytime phone number.
Send nominations and supporting information to “Living the Dream Awards,” Martin Luther King, Jr. West Virginia Holiday Commission, c/o West Virginia Division of Culture and History, The Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, W.Va. 25305.
For more information about the “Living the Dream” awards, contact Jacqueline Proctor, deputy commissioner for the Division, at (304) 558-0220.
Each year the Commission also sponsors a poster competition for West Virginia students. The poster must focus on any aspect of the life and works of Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of the 25th anniversary of the poster competition, classroom teachers are asked to assist students in the development of original slogans/captions to be used in the development of the poster. The slogan or caption must be displayed on the poster.
The competition is open to all West Virginia students in grades K-12. Each entrant is allowed one entry, which must be mounted on illustration board and can be no larger than 22” x 28”.
Three awards will be given in each of the following categories: K-2 grades, 3-5 grades, 6-8 grades and 9-12 grades. The official rules for the competition and a downloadable entry form can be found at www.wvmlkholidaycommission.org.
Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1, 2008, and should be mailed or hand-delivered to Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Contest, West Virginia State University, Attn: Patricia Wilson, 616 Wallace Hall, Institute, W.Va. 25112-1000.
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 Culture Center in the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, which also houses the state archives and state museum. The Culture 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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