KHS Hosts MLK State Commission Awards Sponsored by the Kentucky Heritage Council
The Kentucky Historical Society hosted the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission on January 12, as they presented twenty-five awards commemorating Dr. King's life and service. Students from across the Commonwealth participated in areas of Art, Poetry, Essay, and Leadership under the 2023 theme "I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems" (from Martin Luther King's Where Do We Go From Here address). Guest speaker was Rev. Nathl L. Moore, pastor at First African Baptist Church in Lexington. A video presentation was supplied by the Kentucky State University Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Lloyd Mallory, Jr.
The commission is administratively attached to the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office, which co-sponsors the awards. The commission works to promote the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as an occasion to reflect upon the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change as espoused by Dr. King, encourage community service in keeping with the principles taught by Dr. King, provide advice and assistance to local governments and private organizations with respect to the holiday, and promote the commemoration as an opportunity to advocate for interracial cooperation and youth anti-violence initiatives.
To view each of the winning submissions, please click HERE
Individual award winners are as follows:
Art – Elementary
1st Place: Snigdha Konyala, Middletown Elementary, Jefferson Co.
2nd Place: Sophie Griffith, Boyd County GT/Ponderosa Elementary, Boyd Co.
3rd Place: Audrey Haddix, Crossroads Elementary, Campbell Co.
Art – Intermediate
1st Place: Yashashwin Konyala, Middletown Elementary, Jefferson Co.
2nd Place: Peyton Moore, Boyd County GT/Ponderosa Elementary, Boyd Co.
3rd Place: Allie Jackson, Boyd County GT/Cannonsburg Elementary, Boyd Co.
Art – Middle School
1st Place: Jaia Weidner, James T. Alton Middle School, Hardin Co.
2nd Place: Lainy Stacy, Campbell County Middle School, Campbell Co.
3rd Place: Emery Simon, Talton K. Stone Middle School, Hardin Co.
Art – High School
1st Place: Grace Gregory, Bracken County High School, Bracken Co.
2nd Place: Kyndra Pope
Poetry – Middle School
1st Place: Caden Schaubert, Talton K. Stone Middle School, Hardin Co.
2nd Place: Sylvia Mason, Noe Middle School, Jefferson Co.
3rd Place: Desiree Maxey
Poetry – High School
1st Place: Ariti Gani, Bowling Green High School, Warren Co.
2nd Place: Caylin Kohlstruck, Eastern High School, Jefferson Co.
3rd Place: Bennett Kiza, Eastern High School. Jefferson Co.
Essay – Intermediate
1st Place: William Karrer, Ascension Catholic School, Jefferson Co.
2nd Place: Joliuana Peterson, Byck Elementary Jefferson Co.
3rd Place: Vivienne Dunkle
Essay – High School
1st Place: Ariti Gani, Bowling Green High School, Warren Co.
2nd Place: Alyssa Isom, Belfry High School, Pike Co.
3rd Place: Kirstin Morris, Belfry High School, Pike Co.
Leadership – Student
LaNaysha Hunt Hall
Leadership – Adult
Charles Turner, Christian Co.
For questions about the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission, contact Tressa Brown (Tressa.Brown@ky.gov), commission coordinator, at 502-892-3607