Dream 365 announces its 2014 award recipients in association with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Columbus Jan. 13-20. The awards are identified by three categories: Unsung Heroes, Oasis of Freedom and Justice, and Student Essay and Creative Arts.
These prestigious awards are presented annually during the Dream 365 MLK Commemorative Breakfast to recognize individuals, organizations and student contest winners within the community. Unsung Heroes and Oasis of Freedom and Justice Award recipients were nominated and chosen by a subcommittee for individuals and/or organizations who exemplify the philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of one day transforming Mississippi into an oasis of freedom and justice through their noteworthy deeds and goodwill.
“It’s an honor for us to be able to recognize individuals in our community for their good works,” said NAACP President LaVonne Harris. “We appreciate their contributions and selfless service. In many cases, many of them are viewed as role models and unsung heroes by others. Therefore, it becomes imperative for us to sing their praises during this noteworthy celebration.”
Student Essay and Creative Arts Award recipients are winners of the annual MLK contest administered by Columbus Municipal School District.
All recipients will be honored during the 2014 MLK Commemorative Breakfast Monday, Jan. 20 at Trotter Convention Center. The breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. and be followed by a community address with keynote speaker Dr. Frederick Haynes.
Cost for the event is $15. For more information on the eight-day celebration, visit dream365.info.
Dream 365 is a community volunteer committee responsible for hosting events during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and awarding scholarships to deserving students in the Columbus area. Dream 365 has been named four times among the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events.
Award recipients are:
Cook Elementary
1st Place Essay – Indya Hyde (4th grade)
1st Place Art – Madisyn Turner (4th grade)
Fairview Elementary
1st Place Essay – Acqura Butler (3rd grade)
1st Place Art – Jonathan Conner (4th grade)
Franklin Elementary
1st Place Essay – Aaron Verdell (5th grade)
1st Place Art – Jordan Spraggins (2nd grade)
Sale Elementary
1st Place Essay – David Sloan (5th grade)
1st Place Art – Kyla Norwood
Stokes-Beard Elementary
1st Place Essay – Cody McGee (4th grade)
1st Place Art – Madisyn Turner (4th grade)
Columbus Middle School
1st Place Essay – Sebastian Rojas-Rincon (6th grade)
1st Place Essay – Kerrigan Clark (7th grade)
1st Place Essay – Jakyria Brooks (8th grade)
1st Place Art – Sebastian Rojas-Rincon (6th grade)
Columbus High School
1st Place Essay – Jessica Verdell (10th grade)
1st Place Essay – Ricarrdo Byrd (12th grade)
1st Place Art – Alexis King (10th grade)
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