News…

Twenty-seven young people, six individuals and two service organizations were honored Saturday, Jan. 14, 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 Culture 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 YWCA’s “Project on Racism” essay contest, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., poster contest, the Service Organization Honor Roll and the “Living the Dream” winners.

YWCA 19th ANNUAL “PROJECT ON RACISM”
ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

Grades 1-2
First Place – Brody Jacovetty, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Second Place – Grace Moore, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Third Place – Fredrick (Reese) Barton, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling, Ohio County

Grades 3-5
First Place – Karsyn Ryan, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Second Place – Daniel Davidson, Ritchie Elementary School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Second Place – Matt Mazur, St. Michael Parish School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Third Place – Zoey Kefauver, St. Michael Parish School, Wheeling, Ohio County

Grades 6-8
First Place – Giorgio Alexander, St. Michael Parish School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Second Place – Lexie Kosanovic, St. Michael Parish School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Third Place – Eric Thomas Haller, Triadelphia Middle School, Wheeling, Ohio County

Grades 9-12
First Place – Chenny Zhang, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Second Place – Amanda Witt, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Third Place – Drew Edwards, East Fairmont High School, Fairmont, Marion County

 

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. 28TH ANNUAL
POSTER CONTEST WINNERS

Grades K-5
First Place – Haleema Aya Boukhemis, Ruffner Elementary School, Charleston, Kanawha County
Second Place – Tyson Macrae Null, Ruffner Elementary School, Charleston, Kanawha County
Third Place – Celia M. Ricottilli, Coalton Elementary School, Coalton, Randolph County

Grades 6-8
First Place – Malakye E. Boyd, Opportunity Learning Center, Charles Town, Jefferson County
Second Place – Jacob Cameron Vance, Sissonville Middle School, Sissonville, Kanawha County
Third Place – Abby E. Nelson, Sissonville Middle School, Sissonville, Kanawha County

Grades 9-12
First Place – Hailey Harmon, Mingo Central High School, Delbarton, Mingo County
Second Place – Marquis Cunningham, Mingo Central High School, Delbarton, Mingo County
Third Place – Zachary Roberts, Mingo Central High School, Delbarton, Mingo County
Honorable Mention – Kayla Adkins, Lincoln County High School, Hamlin, Lincoln County

Grades 9-12 Mixed Media
First Place – Brandon Adkins, Mingo Central High School, Delbarton, Mingo County
Second Place – Samantha A. Sisemore, Lincoln County High School, Hamlin, Lincoln County
Third Place – Savannah J. Cantrell, Lincoln County High School, Hamlin, Lincoln County
Third Place – Curtis E. Hammond, Point Pleasant High School, Point Pleasant, Mason County

 

“LIVING THE DREAM”
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS HONOR ROLL

Christian Help, Inc., Morgantown, Monongalia County
Manna Meal of Charleston, Charleston, Kanawha County

 

“LIVING THE DREAM” AWARDS

Dr. Hazo W. Carter, Jr., Institute, Kanawha County, Governor’s “Living the Dream”
Katherine L. Dooley, South Charleston, Kanawha County, “Human and Civil Rights”
Reverend Ronald W. English, Charleston, Kanawha County, “Advocate of Peace”
Carlton A. Hilliard, Sr., Moorefield, Hardy County, “Sharing of Self”
Ergie R. Smith, Jr., Princeton, Mercer County, “Sharing of Self”
Hazel Wooster, Charleston, Kanawha County, “Scholarship”

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 is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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