26th annual West Chester and Liberty Township Community Observance
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Monday, January 20, 2025
March for Unity in Our Community – 9:30 am
Start at Floor & Décor, 7250 Cabela Drive End at Sabin Hall @ Liberty Center, 7539 Haskell Street Awards Program – 10:00 am
Sabin Hall @ Liberty Center, 7539 Haskell Street More info at https://LiveTheDreamWCL.weebly.com
Welcome
Fire Chief Ethan Klussman, Liberty Township
Invocation
Pastor Bob Allen
Lakota Hills Baptist Church
Musical Selection
“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” words by James Weldon Johnson
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson
Directed by Erica West, Bethany Church, with Kevin Ehlert
2025 Student Contest Awards
Contest Theme: “You Choose”
Presented By:
Stacy Maney, Assistant Superintendent, Grades K-6
Lakota Local School District &
Ray Murray
Local Businessman
Congratulations Winners!
Fine Arts Grades 3-6 Special Merit: Brayden Reece 3rd grade, Cherokee
Fine Arts Grades 3-6: Marshawn Reece 3rd grade, Cherokee
Fine Arts Grades 7-8 Special Merit: Norah Fitzpatrick 7th grade, Ridge Junior
Fine Arts Grades 7-8 ELL: Sitra Wakili 7th grade, Plains Junior
Fine Arts Grades 7-8: Pepper Hatwal 7th grade, Plains Junior
Fine Arts Grades 9-12 Special Merit: Addison Maxwell 10th grade, Lakota Central
Fine Arts Grades 9-12 ELL: Helen Henriquez Duran
12th grade, Lakota Central
Fine Arts Grades 9-12: Lucy MacKnight
9th Grade, Lakota Est
GRAND PRIZE FINE ARTS WINNER
Fine Arts Grades 3-6: Kristian Mudd
4th grade, Cherokee
Essay Grades 3-6 Special Merit: Cedric Utrata
6th grade, Independence
Essay Grades 3-6 ELL: Arturo Pelaez Tellez
3rd grade, Independence
Essay Grades 3-6: Calvin SoulesPeters
6th grade, Independence
Essay Grades 7-8 Special Merit: Addyson Allen 7th grade, Hopewell Junior
Essay Grades 7-8 ELL: Alex Parajuli
8th grade, Hopewell Junior
Essay Grades 7-8: Anarah Carlotta
8th grade, Hopewell Junior
Essay Grades 9-12 Special Merit: Addison Michel
9th grade, Lakota East
Essay Grades 9-12 ELL: Nathan Lee
9th grade, Lakota East
Essay Grades 9-12: Alexis Riggins
9th grade, Lakota East
GRAND PRIZE ESSAY WINNER
Essay Grades 7-8: Quentin Smith
8th grade, Hopewell Junior
Musical Selection
“How Great Thou Art” words by Carl Boberg Directed by Erica West, Bethany Church, with Kevin Ehlert
Keynote Address
Jackie Phillips Carter, Health Commissioner City of Middletown
Musical Selection
“When We All Get to Heaven” words by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt Directed by Erica West, Bethany Church, with Kevin Ehlert
Benediction
Pastor Bob Allen
Lakota Hills Baptist Church
Closing Song
“We Can Live the Dream,” original music
Written by John W. Stevenson and Joe Hansen specially for this Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration
Contest Judges: Tina Cartwright, Mia Hilkowitz, Cari Hillman, Maddie Jones, Starla Jones, Dan Maxwell, Kim McKinney, Jen Sheppard, Gail Webster
Planning Committee: Leah Aguilar, Alexis Stiver Bolton, Tina Cartwright, Laura Groff, Cari Hillman, Adam Inskeep, Dan Maxwell, Kim McKinney, Drew Reeder, Gail Webster, Erica West, Barb Wilson
Sponsors and Partners: Bethany Church, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Edge Teen Center, Floor & Décor, Lakota Local School District, Liberty Center/ Sabin Hall, Liberty Township, Melson Photo Arts, City of Middletown Health Department, MidPointe Library System, Ray Murray, Starbucks, WalMart, West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance, West Chester Township
Special Thanks: Leah Aguilar, Pastor Bob Allen, Lauren Boettcher, Jackie Phillips Carter, Kevi n Ehlert, Christy Gloyd, Eric Guttag, Krystal Jones, Liberty Township Fire Department, Stacy Maney, Ray Murray, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester Police Department, WCTV