Elgin commission honors students for MLK Day tributes
Several local students have been honored with awards from the Elgin Human Relations Commission for their eloquence in honoring the legacy of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The awards - for essays, scholarships and artwork - were presented during Elgin's 31st annual celebration of King, a three-day event culminating Sunday at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.
Seven students received Elgin Area School District U-46's MLK Jr. Scholar Award: Esha Dahal, Jadely Martinez and Morgan Meinicke of Canton Middle School in Streamwood; Damaryan Benton and Olaitin Ajayi of Elgin High School; and Escolivia Birungi and Tyra Lindsey of Larkin High School in Elgin.
The Dr. King Scholarship was presented to three high school seniors who demonstrated leadership qualities, for scholastic achievement, school and community involvement, producing a video essay, and future aspirations. Recipients were: Kira Robles, Elgin High, $1,000; Escolivia Birungi, Larkin High, $750; and Alisha Panthier, Elgin High, $250.
Art contest winners were:
• Grades four through six: Lords Park Elementary sixth-grade class, first place; Maricarmen Rios, second place; Wyatt Wasmond, third place.
• Kindergarten through third grade: Sundai Lopez-Svec, first place; Abigail Broadhead, second place; Emily Ceja, third place.