January 14, 2021
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, (202) 277-9417
“Living the Dream” Award and student contest winners announced, virtual work sessions and “Day of Service” food donation drive highlight Howard County’s commitment to honoring Dr. King
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) and the Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission invite you to join them for multiple events this weekend. On Friday, January 15th there will be a Pop-Up Food Pantry from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ridgely Run Community Center, located at 8400 Mission Road in Jessup, to distribute food to those in need. On Sunday, January 17th there is a virtual celebration of the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., followed by a Day of Service on Monday, January 18th with a series of virtual workshops beginning at 10:00 a.m. On January 18th there will also be a pop-up food drive from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at multiple locations. For a list of collection locations and items in need, visit www.tinyurl.com/HOCOMLKDAY.
“This year’s celebration and service is a testament to Dr. King's legacy, bringing together a diverse community that is inspired by his words and activated by his ideals," said Ball. “Let's carry that dedication to helping others, uplifting our neighbors, and pursuing solutions that support our most vulnerable throughout this entire year. This year the celebration and events look different. However, while we are staying COVID safe, Howard County and the Commission have continued the tradition of celebrating Dr. King by highlighting young people in our community who understand, appreciate, and live by the foundation that Dr. King built during his lifetime. Congratulations to all the winners for your accomplishments and your dedication to improving Howard County. Let's carry that dedication to helping others, uplifting our neighbors, and pursuing solutions that support our most vulnerable throughout this entire year.”
This family-friendly, multi-cultural event will include performances by diverse community groups and recognition of the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” award recipients and student essay, oratory and poster contest winners.
“Dr. King had a major impact on the current conversation we are having in our country around equity and racial inequities. We must lift up his legacy and promote his teachings, now more than ever,” said Tracey L. Williams, Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Chair.
“This year’s MLK Celebration was a challenge to plan and carry out due to the Pandemic,” said Bert Hash, Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Vice Chair. “However, the MLK Holiday Commission, with the assistance of our many partners, has responded and is helping to meet the basic need for food throughout the Howard County Community. In addition, with our virtual platform, we will reach one of our largest audience ever.”
Sunday, January 17th – “Living the Dream” Award and Student Essay, Oratory and Poster Contests Winners:
The “Living the Dream” Award honors an individual and an organization who exemplify the work and legacy of Dr. King. This year’s honorees are Ani Begay Auld and the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County, MD for their devotion to the community.
For the student essay, oratory and poster contests, students were asked to reflect upon Dr. King’s statement, and this year’s contest theme, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” For the essay and oratory contests, middle and high school students discussed a time when they took a stand against injustice and the impact of their actions. For the poster contest, elementary school students composed an original piece of artwork that showed their interpretation of the theme. The contest winners are:
Essay Contest: Middle School
- 1st Place – Jordyn A. Bennett, 8th Grade, Lake Elkhorn Middle School
- 2nd Place – Sarah KC – 8th Grade, Harper's Choice Middle School
- 3rd Place – Teresa Cherian, 8th Grade, Bonnie Branch Middle School AND Briana Eggleston, 6th Grade, Harper's Choice Middle School
Essay Contest: High School
- 1st Place – Rebecca Donovan, 10th Grade, Centennial High School
- 2nd Place – Mira Shah, 9th Grade, Howard High School
- 3rd Place – Corina Tarhon, 10th Grade, Reservoir High School
Oratory Contest: Middle School
- 1st Place – Ajala Khanal, 8th Grade, Oakland Mills Middle School
- 2nd Place – Jaidyn Augustine, 7th Grade, Mount View Middle School
Oratory Contest: High School
- 1st Place – Brian Ihejurobi, 12th Grade, Wilde Lake High School
- 2nd Place – Samya Miles, 10th Grade, Wilde Lake High School
Poster Contest
- 1st Place – Neil Deepak, 4th Grade, Ilchester Elementary School
- 2nd Place – Dalia Kintisch, 4th Grade, Thunder Hill Elementary School
- 3rd Place – Nika Guth, 5th Grade, Bollman Bridge Elementary School
Monday, January 18th – “Day of Service Across Howard County”:
Residents are also encouraged to participate in the County’s “Day of Service Across Howard County” project on Monday, January 18th. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be different from year’s past. On the 18th, OHRE and the Commission will be hosting a number of virtual events, ranging from HopeWorks of Howard County’s “The ‘I Can I Will’ Create Peace” workshop to a screening and panel discussion on the documentary, Unbreathable: The Fight for Healthy Air. To learn more about these events and more, visit www.tinyurl.com/HOCOMLKDAY.
In addition to Monday’s virtual events, OHRE and the Commission will also be hosting a food donation drive on the 18th at grocery stores throughout the county. For a list of collection locations and items in need, visit www.tinyurl.com/HOCOMLKDAY. Also, the Commission and Harriet Tubman Foundation of Howard County will be hosting a Pop-Up Food Pantry this Friday, January 15th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ridgely Run Community Center, located at 8400 Mission Road in Jessup, to distribute food to those in need.
The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission was established to encourage and coordinate activities and ceremonies throughout Howard County to honor the birthday, ideals and legacy of Dr. King.
For more information about these events, contact Heidi Tilkens with OHRE at 410-313-6430 or email [email protected].