The organization’s president, local attorney Joe Hill, said the poster contest is open to children from kindergarten to 12th grade.
He said the poster contest promotes student awareness, and participation in the annual MLK Day commemoration activities that started with previous years’ popular essay contests.
Jan. 18 will be the fourth official commemoration of Martin Luther King Day since Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed the bill that included MLK Day as an official CNMI holiday.
This year’s theme is “Where Do We Go From Here?” which was the name of Dr. King’s famous 1967 speech.
This, Hill said, “is meant to make students become aware that every moment in life offers the opportunity to make new choices, and that they have the ability and responsibility to choose how to live their lives to determine where they go in life.”
Hill said new years, new terms in office, new school semesters, and every new day, all represent ideal opportunities to decide “where do we go from here” as a nation, as a community, and as an individual.
In the contest, student artists are asked to draw/paint/create their concepts of what those choices are, and/or how they affect the nation, the community, and/or the individual.
Creativity, uniqueness and outside-the-box thinking are encouraged, Hill said.
Entries should include some reference to King, his vision, speeches, concept of non-violence and civil rights.
Alll posters will be displayed at American Memorial Park’s Visitors Center from the date of receipt through Monday, Jan 18, 2010.
Hill said the winners will be announced at the park on Jan. 18.
The African American Cultural Preservation Committee on Saipan at the same time “wishes to thank all past and present supporters of our MLK Day events including Hyatt Regency Saipan, Joeten Enterprises, Empty Vessel Ministry, American Memorial Park, and the Northern Mariana Islands Council for the Humanities.”
The categories for the contest
K – 2nd grades
3rd – 5th grades
6th -12th grades
Guidelines
Minimum size: 9” x 12”
Maximum size: 12” x 18”
Medium: Any (Paint, charcoal, ink, computer, etc.)
All artwork must be original, and no tracing is allowed.
Submit posters on or before Saturday, Jan 16, at Joe Hill Law Offices behind Shirley’s in Susupe on Tokcha Ave.
For more information, contact Alma or Lily at 234-7743, Joe Hill at 234-6806 or e-mail [email protected]
More details may be found on BlacksOnSaipan.com.
