Pictured L-R: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech, in Washington D.C., Aug. 28, 1963; and President-Elect Barack Obama takes the stage at Denver's Invesco Field.

Image source: AP Photos, abcnews.com

TO THE POINT: UOG’s Association for Childhood Education International is sponsoring an island-wide poster contest in recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration. The contest theme is Fulfilling the Dream. It is open to all school children in K-12 grades.


No person in the entire history of African America has made as great an impact on the nation as did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a preacher, civil rights advocate, moral leader, idealist and realist.Since many young people had not yet been born during Dr. King’s lifetime, and may be too young to remember, it is our duty as a community of parents and educators to teach our children of the life and work of Dr. King.

In addition, Barack Obama, will be the nation’s first African American to be elected president of the United States. As America’s 44th president, the 47 year-old junior senator from Illinois now must bear the hopes of an entire race, live up to the expectations of an entire nation and lead the free world in a time of great uncertainty.

In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration on January 19, 2009, the University of Guam School of Education student organization, Association for Childhood Education International (UOG-ACEI), is sponsoring an island-wide poster contest. The contest theme is Fulfilling the Dream. It is open to all public, private, and DODEA school children in K-12 grades. Posters must be submitted no later than Thursday, January 15, 2009 at UOG’s School of Education, second floor, between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See secretary Anita Palomo or contact her at 735-2440, atpalomo@uguam.uog.edu. Late entries will not be accepted.

The goal of the poster contest is to raise, enhance, and broaden awareness and knowledge levels of students about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and about the significance and application of the major tenets of non-violence; and to look toward the future of the nation’s newest president, Barack Obama. The basic requirements for the poster include 9x12 inches (minimum size) to 12x18 inches (maximum size), any art medium, and no tracing. Criteria include technical skill, creativity, originality, theme adherence, aesthetics, and use of space. Students must include on the back of the poster their full name, age, grade, teacher, school, and contact number. The grade levels to be judged include Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, 6th to 8th grade, and 9th to 12th grade.

An exhibit of all posters will be displayed at the Agana Shopping Center beginning Saturday, January 17-19, 2009 and at UOG’s School of Education and RFK Library. Announcement of all winners will be January 19, 2009 at 12:00 p.m., Center Court, at the Agana Shopping Center.