Twenty-four young people, five individuals and five service organizations were honored Saturday, Jan. 13, with awards from the Martin Luther King, Jr., West Virginia Holiday Commission as part of the state’s observance of the Martin Luther King 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 and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, awards were given for the “Project on Racism” Essay Contest, a poster contest, the Service Organization Honor Roll and the “Living the Dream” Awards.
YWCA 14th Annual “Project on Racism” Essay Contest Winners
Grades K-2
First Place - Braedyn West, Mount de Chantal Academy, Wheeling
Second Place - Joseph Hurley, Pratt Elementary School, Pratt
Third Place - Kevin Ferguson, Miller Elementary School, Huntington
Grades 3-5
First Place - Carly McCardle, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling
Second Place - Connor Akers, Justice Elementary School, Logan
Third Place - Joshua Rhudy, Ghent Elementary, Ghent
Grades 6-8
First Place - Kristen Elkins, Hayes Middle School, St. Albans
Second Place - Brandy Francis, Hayes Middle School, St. Albans
Third Place - Benji Sites, Shepherdstown Middle School, Shepherdstown
Grades 9-12
First Place - Jenna Wood, East Fairmont High School, Fairmont
Second Place - Megan Walters, John Marshall High School, Glen Dale
Third Place - Brittany Berry, Robert C. Byrd High School, Clarksburg
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SOCIETY, inc. POSTER Contest winners
“I Have a Dream”
Grades 3-5
First Place - Makaila C. Chapman, Grade 4, Peyton Elementary School, Huntington
Second Place - Michelle A. Nipper, Grade 5, Peyton Elementary School, Huntington
Third Place - Caitlin V. G. Welch, Grade 5, Ansted Middle School, Ansted
Grades 6-8
First Place - Abigail D. Bush, Grade 8, Hannan High School, Ashton
Second Place - Jonathan W. Gore, Grade 6, Fayetteville Elementary School, Fayetteville
Third Place - Cody M. Mullan, Grade 8, Taylor County Middle School, Grafton
Grades 9-12
First Place - Jess R. Justice, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Second Place - Michael J. Brown, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Third Place - Billy R. Sheppard, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Honorable Mention
Luisa F. Hengo, Grade 12, Hannan High School, Ashton
Anna Sophie Forsmann, Grade 12, Hannan High School, Ashton
Jesse E. Crawford, Grade 12, Hannan High School, Ashton
“Living the Dream” Service Organizations Honor Roll
Capital City Striders, Inc.,Charleston
Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, Commission to End Racism, Charleston
Florence Crittenton Services, Inc., Wheeling
Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Lewisburg
YWCA Wheeling, Wheeling
West Virginia Holiday Commission “Living the Dream” awards
Reverend Joseph R. Hacala, S.J., Wheeling, Advocate of Peace
Stephen Rutledge, Lewisburg, Human and Civil Rights
Viola Johnson, Martinsburg, Scholarship
Rashida A. Khakoo, M.D., Star City, Sharing of Self
Dr. Mildred Mitchell-Bateman, 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. The Cultural Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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