UW-PARKSIDE HONORS DR. KING, COMMUNITY & SCHOOL AWARD WINNERS

KENOSHA, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin-Parkside honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during its 11^th annual campus celebration Friday, Jan. 22. Using the theme “His Real Message,” the university recognized the community service of two area residents and a campus organization and awarded medals to area students for their spoken and written words as well as their artwork.

Held in UW-Parkside’s Communication Arts Theatre, the honorees presented their award-winning essays, videos, and spoken word pieces to an appreciative audience. The program also featured a vocal performance by Ricardo Wynn with piano accompaniment Ryan Thompson.

UW-Parkside’s Community Service Award was given to Bettie Poole and Ola Baiyewu for their ongoing contributions to people in southeastern Wisconsin. The UW-Parkside Community Service honor was given the campus’ Pre-Health Club.

A group of Racine Park High School students swept the essay contest awards with Danae Vinson and Ashley Strausser, respectively, taking first place and runner up in the 11^th and 12^th Grade contest while Alysia Crumpton took first place and Xiucsy Yadira Villarreal runner up in the 9^th and 10^th Grade competition. UW-Parkside students Brittney Jasper and Mark Fleming received plaques in the college spoken word and essay award categories, respectively.

Earlier in the program, UW-Parkside honored middle school students Juana Moreno, 8^th grade, Kenosha Washington; Will Campbell, 7^th grade, Young Leaders Academy; and Zachary Atkins, 6^th grade, Real School for their essay submissions. Essay winners in grades 3 to 5 were Emma Evans, 5^th grade, Curtis Strange Elementary; Rikajah Greer, 4^th grade, Young Leaders Academy; and Gavin White, 3^rd grade, Roosevelt Elementary.

Six second grade students from Janes Elementary School won a spoken word award for their video performance of “Let Us Keep His Dream Alive.” The students were Ahtziri Peralta, Keonia Watson, Ziyah Hanks, Aaliyah J. F. Moss, Ebonie Stinson, and Austin Lelo.

In the K-Second Grade Art category, kindergarten student Daivon Stevenson of EBSOLA earned the overall art prize. Jordyn Jackson, a student at Julian Thomas Elementary School, received the art prize for first-graders.

The audience was welcomed by UW-Parkside representatives Professor Dennis Rome, Office of Multicultural Students Affairs Director Damian Evans, and university Vice Chancellor Dr. Lenny Klaver. UW-Parkside students Sasha Brown and Ashlee Willis hosted the program.