Twenty-four young people, four individuals and four service organizations were honored Saturday, Jan. 19, 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 “Project on Racism” essay contest, a poster contest, the Service Organization Honor Roll and the “Living the Dream” awards.
YWCA 15th Annual “Project on Racism” Essay Contest Winners
Grades 1-2
First Place - Claire-Elizabeth V. Ford, homeschooled, Gerrardstown
Second Place - Marquise Dunn, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling
Third Place - Hailey Sirbaugh, Valley View Elementary School, Martinsburg
Grades 3-4
First Place - Michael Mills, Mercer Elementary School, Princeton
Second Place - Savannah Austen, Mount de Chantal Academy, Wheeling
Third Place - Madelyne Barnett, Hometown Elementary School, Hometown
Grades 6-8
First Place - Katrina Stewart, Bridge Street Middle School, Elm Grove
Second Place - Charnequia Brooks, Beverly Hills Middle School, Huntington
Third Place - Laura Marsh, Sherrard Junior High School, Sherrard
Grades 9-12
First Place - Katee Conaway, St. Marys High School, St. Marys
Second Place - Matthew Ceo, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling
Third Place - Brittany Shields, Liberty High School, Clarksburg
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23rd annual POSTER Contest winners
“Inheriting a world house: Learning to live together in harmony”
Grades K-5
First Place - Claire-Elizabeth V. Ford, Grade 1, homeschooled, Gerrardstown
Second Place - Courtney N. Welch, Grade 5, Ansted Middle School, Ansted
Third Place - Marguerite G. Kemp-Sherman, Grade 5, Greenbrier Episcopal School, Lewisburg
Grades 6-8
First Place - Mariah Lynn Dawson, Grade 8, Clay-Battelle Middle School, Blacksville
Second Place - Keniston D. Grizzell, Grade 7, Hannan High School, Upton
Third Place - Aaron T. McCallister, Grade 7, Hannan High School, Upton
Grades 9-12
First Place - Riley Adkins, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Second Place - Stephen G. Justice, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Third Place - Iwan Wasiljew, Grade 11, Hannan High School, Ashton
Grades 9-12 (Category: Mixed Media)
First Place - Tiana Warner, Grade 12, Keyser High School, Keyser
Second Place - Jonah Coleman, Grade 12, Mingo Career and Technical Center, Delbarton
Third Place - Robert W. Crank II, Grade 9, Hannan High School, Ashton
Third Place - Savannah R. Marr, Grade 12, Wahama High School, Mason
“Living the Dream” Service Organizations Honor Roll
Good News Mountaineer Garage, Charleston
Health Sciences Technology Academy, Charleston
High Rocks for Girls, Hillsboro
Kanawha Valley Interfaith Council, Charleston
“Living the Dream” awards
John P. David, Ph.D., Kincaid, Human and Civil Rights
Connie Park Rice, Ph.D., Morgantown, Scholarship
Roslyn Clark-Artis, Esq., Beckley, Sharing of Self
Reverend Lloyd Allan Hill, 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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