Writing, art contest focuses on King's dream

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be held Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in Fullerton Auditorium at Limestone College with Grammyaward winning pianist Daryl Davis as guest speaker and musician.

Today marks the beginning of a writing and arts competition offered to all Cherokee County pubic school students. Awards will be presented to elementary, middle school and high school students who develop the theme, "It Is Up to Us to Fulfill His Dream," a statement made by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy shortly after Dr. King was assassinated.

Tedi H. Gibbons, chairman of the art and competition, said, "We believe that children of all ages understand the concept and can use their imaginations to express the many ways in which this dream might be fulfilled."

Writing entries should be typewritten or double-spaced in black ink. The writer's name, grade level and school should be written on the back of the paper so that judges will not know the identity of the writer. Writing entries may be in either poetry or prose and must be the original work of the writer.

Art work should be done on at least one-half sheet of large poster board and must be in color. As in the writing contest, the artist's name, grade level and school should be written legibly on the back of the entry. Each school may set its own deadline for entries to be received, but they must be delivered to the district school office by Friday, Dec. 12. First, second and third prizes will be given on each grade level in both art and writing.

First place winners will be invited to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at a luncheon at Limestone College at noon on Monday, Jan. 19. Art will be displayed and each writer will be asked to read his or her entry at the luncheon and receive a prize.

Any persons having questions may call Gibbons at 4389-9863 for more information.