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11TH DISTRICT CELEBRATES MLK's BIRTHDAY

Brooklyn, NY - (January 8, 2005) - The 20th Annual Central Brooklyn Martin Luther King Commission commemorates history's most notable civil rights activist on Monday, January 17, 2005 at 1:00 pm at Prospect Heights High School. The event is free and open to everyone and includes an education update by Congressman Major Owens.

For the past 20 years the Commission has put Dr. King's ideals into practice in Central Brooklyn by sponsoring an annual poetry and essay contest in schools throughout the 11th Congressional District.  As a founding member of the Commission, Congressman Owens said, "The Commission continues Dr. King's tremendous legacy by involving hundreds of students in my district in a most creative way.  I cannot underscore the importance of the Commission's work and the significance of this holiday. By attending this event, each of us contributes to a spirit of unity while advancing Dr. King's vision."

 "We hope that this year will be a reflection of the renewed efforts by the community to achieve unity and fellowship with one another," said Evy Papillion-Juste, president of the MLK Commission.

The following are the winners of this year's cash awards:

Elementary Essay Winners: Deshawna Alcazar, P.S. 208; Zola Archer, P.S. 241; O'Reggio Bennett, P.S. 208; Chelsi Defoe, P.S. 91; Shiloh Frederick, St. Catherine of Genoa; Keeandra Hilman, P.S. 268; Chaianne Jones, P.S. 208; Alisa Machina, P.S. 99; Diana Nosea, St. Catherine of Genoa and Jessica Phillips, St. Catherine of Genoa.

Junior High Essay Winners: Edley Derose, St. Catherine of Genoa; Laura Evans, IS 41 and Rashima Wilson, IS 41.

Elementary Poetry Winners: Shermika Alexander, P.S. 268; Aja James, P.S. 208; Danielle N. Jones, P.S. 327; Holly Rappaport, P.S. 99 and Sally Zarbailova, P.S. 99.

Junior High Poetry Winners: Ricky Allen, IS 232; Shamim Hossain, St. Rose of Lima; Viveca Shearin, IS 41; Matthew Trammell, Crown Heights School for Law and Journalism and  Khourtni Young, IS 41.

High School Poetry Winners: Tiffany Blenman, Brooklyn School of Music and Theatre; Patrick Craig, Thomas Jefferson; Ebony Locklear, Thomas Jefferson, Phylicia Robinson, Middle College High School. Also special recognition goes to Sharome Stone, Brownsville Academy and Serlinda Willis, Thomas Jefferson High School.

Also participating in this year's celebration are the BAM-Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble/Restoration Youth Academy, the Gowanus Wildcat Drill Team, the Sesame Flyers International Steel Band and Ryrajah Legion and Daquan Taylor of the P. Robinson Music School.

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