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42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration

Name: 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
Start: 2026-01-19T16:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-01-19T16:00:00-06:00
Location: Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall

The Marcus Performing Arts Center has celebrated Dr. King’s Birthday annually since 1984. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration highlights the youth in our community who interpret Dr. King’s words through student contests. Winners will be showcased at a free celebration event held in the Marcus Performing Arts Center.

Theme: TRUE PEACE

PLEASE NOTE: Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Overflow seating will be available in Bradley Pavilion, where the event will be livestreamed.

All are welcome to join in the Paulette Y. Copeland Reception in Bradley Pavilion immediately following the program, where students will receive their awards.

Art Contest Winners

Grades K-2 
1st Place Emily Paez Nunez – Saint Lucas Lutheran School
2nd Place Leylani Ugalde – Longfellow School

3rd Place Amir Folad – Lowell International Elementary School
 
Grades 3-5 
1st Place Jose Garcia – Samuel Clemens School
2nd Place Kenia Martinez Vargas – La Escuela Fratney
3rd Place Yaretzi Santos Sixteco – Longfellow School
 
Grades 6-8 
1st Place Chriscyris Gil Midence – Wedgewood Park International School
2nd Place Kimberly Hurtado Garcia – Wedgewood Park International School
3rd Place Cristell Linaldi Vela – Wedgewood Park International School
 
Grades 9-12 
1st Place Glorianna Danowski – St. Thomas More High School
2nd Place Haley Nagel – St. Thomas More High School
3rd Place Lilly Evrard – St. Thomas More High School

Speech Contest Winners

Grades K-2 
1st Place Josie Evans – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School
2nd Place Layla Walker – Eastbrook Academy

3rd Place Montel Taylor – Samuel Clemens School

Grades 3-4
1st Place Aalaila Simmons – Lowell International Elementary School

2nd Place Leanna Mitchell – Samuel Clemens School

3rd Place Mackenzie Peterson – Golda Meir School

Grades 5-6

1st Place Stevie Smith – Eastbrook Academy

2nd Place Demar Strong – Samuel Clemens School

3rd Place Aiden Rios-Calaff – Doerfler School

Grades 7-8 
1st Place Titania McHenry – Fernwood Montessori School

2nd Place Ruth Omoruyi – Eastbrook Academy

3rd Place Renad Kabashi – Golda Meir School

Grades 9-10
1st Place Dahlia Santiago – Golda Meir School

2nd Place Nina Thao – Riverside University High School

3rd Place Prince Mensah-Brown – Eastbrook Academy

Grades 11-12
1st Place Ayden Thrash – Golda Meir School

2nd Place Leah Serdynski – Wisconsin Connections Academy

3rd Place Amani Abu – Eastbrook Academy

Writing Contest Winners

Grades K-1
Samuel Clemens School, Myia Dowl, Aruna Halala-Vishudh (Teachers)
Students: Devyn Bady, Amorah Baines-Nugen, Jahani Bernal, Jennifer Cameron, Thailan Clark, Raelynn Henning, Mallary Hobbs-Robinson, Alayah Hurst, Jermill Jordan, Kay'Loni Martin, Lanyea Mccaa, Giovanni Ortiz, A'Riyah Robinson, Perrionna Stewart, Talaia Taylor, Kamiyah Trotter-Bell, Miya Watson

Grades 2-3
1st Place – Haileyana Molina - I.D.E.A.L. School
2nd Place – Audrey Robinson - Golda Meir School
3rd Place - Amelia Par – Lowell International Elementary School

Grades 4-5
1st Place Mariana Mitchell – Samuel Clemens School
2nd Place Kamrie Brown – Samuel Clemens School
3rd Place Arvell Sewell – Samuel Clemens School

Grade 6
1st Place Alyssa Rockett – Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts
2nd Place Khaydin Allen – Golda Meir School
3rd Place Lailaa Jefferson – GreenTree Preparatory Academy

Grades 7-8
1st Place Ruth Omoruyi – Eastbrook Academy

2nd Place Reham Hamed – Salam School

3rd Place Elliot Anderson – A.E. Burdick School

Grades 9-10
1st Place Sabir Eisa – Salam School
2nd Place Kamarion Jackson – Riverside University High School
3rd Place Reem Mayo – Salam School

Grades 11-12
1st Place Bonnie Wise – Golda Meir School
2nd Place Carla Jones – Riverside University High School
3rd Place Aarielle Redmond-McClennon – Riverside University High School