Published: November 15, 2009 10:46 pm         

MLK Jr. Holiday Celebration slated for Jan. 17

The 22nd Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Cherokee Strip Conference Center in downtown Enid.

Local choirs and keynote speakers Keila Garcia and Derwin Norwood Sr. will be featured on the program which includes a march around the Square, said Abby Woods, commission member representing the city of Enid.

The program also includes the poster and essay contest awards and the Diversity Awards presentations, concluding with light refreshments.

The poster contest is open to students in kindergarten through ninth grade. All posters must reflect the theme “His Words ... Still Alive Today.” Posters should be no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches and no smaller than 81/2 inches by 11 inches.

The essay is for students ninth grade through 12th grade and should reflect the same theme and be no longer than 500 words. All entries must include the student’s full name, school, teacher and grade on the back. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at the city of Enid administration building, 401 W. Garriott.

The Diversity Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments and sustained commitments by individuals, community organizations, businesses or non-profit groups in the area. They will honor those who have promoted an appreciation for diversity, human rights and cultural understanding in Enid and Garfield County.

Woods said sponsors still are needed to assist with costs involved in the planning and operation of the celebration. The MLK Holiday Commission was established in 1989 to organize and support the annual community event, and donations are needed through several different areas, she said. In those areas cash donations to be used as an honorarium for the speakers or purchase contest prizes and prize donations including gift certificates, savings bonds and student specific items. All businesses and individuals who contributed will be recognized through the program.

The program will be filmed and aired by PEGASYS.

For information about the Diversity Award, poster and essay contest or to make donations, contact Derwin Norwood Jr., chairperson, at 747-6131 or Abby Woods, staff liaison at 224-0400, ext. 7211.