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. 19, 2009.
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 of the characteristics of justice, scholarship, sharing of self, human and civil rights, and advocacy of peace
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 postmarked by Dec. 4, 2008. 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 must be included also. 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 Cultural Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, W.Va. 25305-0300.
For more information about the “Living the Dream” awards, call (304) 558-0220.
Each year the Commission also sponsors a poster competition for West Virginia students. The theme for this year’s poster competition is “The Dream is ALIVE.” It is based on the quotation “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” The theme must be reflected in 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 24” x 36”.
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 received by Dec. 15, 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.
For more information about the poster competition, call Wilson at (304) 768-3448 or by e-mail at wilsonpat1@suddenlink.net.
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.