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Las Artes Maricopa Community Youth Art  Contest Winners

This year's planning committee added a new aspect to the event that would provide an opportunity for youth in the community to created an art piece that expressed Dr. King's vision of unity.    This year's Martin Luther King Art Contest received over 120 entries.  Based on the enthusiastic  response to the contest, hopefully this will be an annual event also.

There are two categories: 12 years old and younger; and 13 to 18 years old.  First and second place winners from each category received an Award Certificate , two tickets to attend today's luncheon ($80.00) and a gift certificate.

12 years and younger Category

1st Place:  Matthew Clarke

2nd Place: Avery Arce

 Artist: Matthew Clarke 1st Place 12 & Under.  
 Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet. 

1202-- Matthew Clarke with his certificate.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

2nd Place: Avery Arce

1099 Bette 2nd Place Artist Avery Arce.  
Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

13 to 18 Category

1st Place - Hannah Leber

2nd Place - Phillip Conte 

1st Place

Artist: Hannah Leber 1st 13-18 Age Group. 
Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

Hannah with her certificate.    Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

2nd Place

2nd in the 13-18 Age Group.  Artist: Phillip Conte.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

1125-- Phillip Conte with his certificate.   Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

1090-- Glendale's Anonymous Junior Dance Team performs at the Unity Day Luncheon.  
Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale  Daily Planet.

Friday, January 14, 2011  

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day Luncheon

"Embracing Inclusiveness in Our Community"

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Friday, January 14, 2011
Glendale Civic Center
Glendale, Arizona

The annual luncheon was sold out, with 480 attending.  After the horrific news from Tucson, last Saturday, a day of unity was appreciated by those in attendance.   The annual luncheon celebrates and honors those whose accomplishments exhibit the beliefs and qualities consistent with Dr. King's life. 

Welcoming music for Friday's luncheon was performed by the New Testament Gospel Group.  Joe Hernandez, Event Co-Chairperson introduced the master of ceremonies, Susan Casper, ABC15 News anchor.  Susan Casper is an Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist and co-anchor of ABC15 Daybreak and Now@9.  She joined the ABC15 team in October 2008.

1078-- Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and providing sign language for Friday's speakers, Vicki Bond. 
 Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs opened the luncheon with some unusually personal remarks.  She has felt the painful sting of discrimination as a child.  Her skin color was different and she looked different from everyone else in her neighborhood. She wondered why she looked different.  But, no one talked about family heritage back then.  " Now, maybe we should, I don't know,"  states Mayor Scruggs.  Mayor Scruggs, did not want to make a big deal out of her comments.  However, part of her message was "Don't just take others for granted and assume that they have not been down that path", said Mayor Scruggs, many have felt the unwantedness and unwelcomeness associated with discrimination and discriminatory practices at sometime in there lives. Their pain maybe "inside" and not worn on their sleeves.  Inclusiveness, includes everyone, even those who seem to have it all.  After the Mayor's remarks, she made the proclamation presentation.

APS's representative, Joanna De'Shay and Rod Antoniak let everyone attending today's luncheon that there were no table centerpieces, instead there was a CFL (compact fluorescent lamp or light bulb) for everyone to take home.  Every time the light was turned on, the owner would be reminded of today's messages and would also save energy and money. 

Kristen Krey, City of Glendale's Diversity Chairperson, presented the 2011 Promoting Inclusiveness Award to Charles St. Clair, an Emmy-award winning producer and performer.   The most notable to the award committee is his annual re-enactment of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream," speech.  Charles St. Clair has been at ASU since 1990.  He teaches acting, directing and technical production.  He is also the faculty advisor for the Black Student Union, co-founder of the Fairmount Theater of the Deaf and a board member for the Arizona Jewish Theatre.  Mr. St. Clair has also appeared a more than 300 stage, film and television productions. 

Mr. St. Clair is a faculty member of ASU's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.  He will deliver the "I Have a Dream" speech on Wednesday, January 20 at 11:00 a.m.  The public is invited to attend this free event.  Two-hundred middle school children are expected to gather at 10:45 a.m. at the Paley Gates to re-enact the 1963 March on Washington.  St. Clair will deliver the "I Have a Dream" speech on the Fletcher Library Lawn at 11:00 a.m.   Arizona State University New Campus is located at 4701 W, Thunderbird Road.

Congratulations! 

112- Charles St. Clair, Emmy-award winning producer and director.  He is also on the faculty at Arizona State University.  Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

118-- Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley and Charles St. Clair.  Mr. St. Clair is holding the 2011 Promoting Inclusiveness Award presented to him at Friday's Unity Luncheon.  Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

“What is the Dream"

   
1144 --  Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Jr. 
Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

The luncheon's keynote address was given by Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Jr. 

Dr.  Stewart is the Senior Pastor of the First Instutional Baptist Church of Phoenix and among his achievements and recognitions, is he award Inclusiveness Award from Glendale in 2006.

            Dr. Stewart served as the first General Chairperson for ARIZONANS FOR A MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STATE HOLIDAY which contributed significantly to the legislative passage of Arizona’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on September 21, 1989. Dr. Stewart also organized and led VICTORY TOGETHER, INC., a broad-based coalition that campaigned for a Martin Luther King, Jr./Civil Rights Day in Arizona which was won by a historic vote of the people in the general election on November 3, 1992. He also served as the President of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest and Paradise Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arizona, Inc. and Congress, respectively. In 2010, Dr. Stewart was elected to the board of National Immigration Forum. Moreover, Dr. Stewart is an enthusiastic advocate of the sanctity of life ethic which supports human life from the womb to the tomb. Dr. Stewart is recognized by others as “a man of conscience, commitment and dedication to the cause of moral leadership, human rights and a soldier of justice and equality.”

                                                            http://www.fibcaz.org/tp40/page.asp?ID=206179

Key points from Dr. Stewart's What is the Dream address (all quotes are associated with Dr. Stewart's address) 

            1. America and Arizona, "practice what you preach".  Dr. King's famous speech, "I Have a Dream" contains unfinished business.   There are still things to be done.  Put and keep you words in actions and deeds.

            2. Make new friends.  Make friends with people who are different than you are.  Find some common ground.  A society that is colorblind is not the objective either. "Color comes from God".  "Color is not bad color is ugly, color is not inferior.”  “Be color inclusive America”.  "We need to be about the business of building relationships with people unlike ourselves." We should be reaching out to those who are withdrawn. 

            3. Save the children.  Dr, King's four children were important to him.   All children are important.  "What if some tried to save Jared Loughner?"

            4. Live lower, smoother and straighten.  Help others through the rough patches.  Forget or lower your ego and help someone at a shelter, for example.  And Straighten out the crooked--as in crooks or dishonest; those who take advantage of others.

            5. Keep the Faith and don't give up, in spite of the injustices that still exist.   In light of everything that has happened recently--the rough economy, shootings in Tucson, immigration issues--don't give up.  We have made it this far.  Live Dr. King's dream, all day and every day.  So that one day everyone can realize the words in the song, --To Dream the Impossible Dream.  We will make it though.   Live the dream, in thought and in deed every day.

1220-- Master of ceremonies, Susan Casper, ABC15 News and Mark Easterling.  This was Mark's first time attending a Unity Day Luncheon.  "She was a great emcee", according to Mark.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

0153  Jean Fairfax, a longtime Civic Leader, and Charles St. Clair.  Mr. St. Clair holds his 2011 Promoting Inclusiveness Award. Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

9826 Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, City Manager Ed Beasley, and Rebecca Benná, MLK Co-Chairperson.  Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

A 20-year tradition at Arizona State University’s West campus will continue Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m. as Charles St. Clair reenacts Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most famous speech. The public is invited to attend this and two other free events as part of the campus’s annual celebration of King’s legacy and the civil rights movement.

St. Clair, a faculty member in ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, is the newly announced recipient of the 2011 Promoting Inclusiveness Award from the city of Glendale. The annual award is designed to recognize those who “go beyond the scope of their jobs to promote inclusiveness in their actions, and exhibit qualities that are consistent with the ideals advocated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” He will receive recognition during the 2011 Unity Day Luncheon, Jan. 14 at the Glendale Civic Center.

On the 19th, St. Clair will deliver the “I Have a Dream” speech as part of the West campus’s annual March on West event. More than 1,000 students from 11 local elementary and middle schools will come to campus that morning to reenact the 1963 March on Washington, which provided the setting for King’s speech. Prior to the march, students will gather in smaller groups to learn about important civil-rights era milestones.

“It’s an honor to share this unforgettable speech with a group of young people,” said St. Clair, who arrived at ASU’s West campus in 1990 and first presented King’s famous speech in 1991. “You never know who will be inspired to do great things by hearing Dr. King’s powerful message of harmony among all people.”

Arriving school children will be greeted by the drum corps from Independence High School, whose members will lead the students in a march around campus to the Fletcher Library lawn. The event also will feature performances by the musical group Elevated Unda’Ground.

On Thursday, Jan. 20, the celebration continues with the screening of “Mountains That Take Wings: Angela Davis and Yuri Kochiyama – A Conversation on Life, Struggles and Liberation.” This film was produced and directed by ASU professors Crystal Griffith and Helen Quan. The screening, at 5 p.m. in the Kiva Lecture Hall, will be preceded by a reception at 4:30 and followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers. In addition to helping commemorate MLK Week, this event also is part of the New College ThinK (Thursdays in the Kiva) series on the West campus.

MLK Week activities wrap up on Friday, Jan. 21, with the Poetry Jam. Sponsored by the Black Graduate Student Association, this event features the theme “The Evolution of his Dream…in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Performers include Elevated Unda’Ground. The Poetry Jam, at 7 p.m. in the Kiva, is billed as “an evening of poetic, lyrical, soulful expressions and multimedia presentations of how Dr. King’s dream impacts and motivates us as artists.” The evening’s activities start with a reception at 6:30.

Attendees at these events are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the MLK Food Drive. Collected food items will be donated to local food banks. There will be several collection sites around campus, including Fletcher Library.

For more information, call (602) 543-5300.

Charles St. Clair Delivers Martin Luther King Jr.'s 
"I Have a Dream" Speech at the 2011 'March on West' 

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Dr. King would be 82 years old this year.  On Wednesday, January 19^th about a thousand local elementary and middle school students gathered to continue an ASU West twenty year tradition.  The Students arrived early to made posters.  Around 10:45 they re-enacted the 1963 March on Washington, D.C.  They march through the Paley Gates and then marched across campus.  The march ended on the lawn in front of Fletcher Library.  Each school represented a city that participated in the original march.  Duku Anokye read the roll call of cities.

Mr. St. Clair is a member of ASU's New Campus Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences.  He has been at Arizona State University since 1990.  Earlier this month he was awarded Glendale's 2011 Promoting Inclusiveness Award.  He is associated with over 300 major productions to his credit.    He is an Emmy Award-winning actor and director.  Charles St. Clair has re-enacted the "I Have a Dream" speech for nearly twenty years as part of the University's annual "March on West" event.

Bette Sharpe/1271-Glendale Daily Planet.  The Emmy-Award winning actor and director has delivered King's "I Have a Dream" speech for nearly twenty years!

Bette Sharpe/1260-Glendale Daily Planet) Duku Anokye read the roll call of cities.

· Montgomery

· Birmingham

· Jackson

· Detroit

· Little Rock

· Atlanta

· Memphis

· Greensboro

Bette Sharpe/1238-Glendale Daily Planet. Teachers and ASU West Faculty support the 1963 reenactment.

Bette Sharpe/1238-Glendale Daily Planet.  Schools participating in the 1963 reenactment were Park Elementary, Canyon Elementary, Norterra Canyon School, Carden Traditional School, Las Braiasas Elementary, Foothills Elementary, Paseo Hills Elementary, Kingdom of Learing Montessori, and Stetson Hills Elementary.

Bette Sharpe/1283-Glendale Daily Planet.  Omayra Ortega Master of Ceremonies and MLK Chairperson stands with Dean Calleroz-White.  Dean Calleroz-White welcomed the students today and asked them to think about their education and to think of themselves attending college someday, "for a better tomorrow", she said.

Bette Sharpe/1263-Glendale Daily Planet.  Charles St. Clair delivers Martin Luther King, Jr.'s  "I Have a Dream" speech annually on the Fletcher lawn at ASU West. This year about a thousand elementary students took part in the reenactment of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C.

Bette Sharpe/1262-Glendale Daily Planet.  Students from across the Valley stand by the reflecting pool and listen to Charles St. Clair deliver Dr. King's inspiring "I Have a Dream" speech.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.                              http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/i-have-a-dream-speech-text_n_809993.html; January 22, 2011.

Ed Sharpe/0387-Glendale Daily Planet.  Marchers gather on the lawn in front of Fletcher Library.

Bette Sharpe/1248-Glendale Daily Planet.

Bette Sharpe/1279-Glendale Daily Planet.  Mr. St Clair shakes hands with students after the program.

Ed Sharpe/0230-Gelndale Daily Planet.

Ed Sharpe/0246-Glendale Daily Planet.  Students show off their posters.

The students who marched Wednesday exchanged their time for the hope of something better for everyone.

The program ended with Nina Simone Singing, "I'm Feeling Good".  Words from her song sum up the good feelings from today's event.

Blossom on the tree you know how I feel
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
And I'm feelin good

March on West - January 19, 2011 

8:00 a.m.		Volunteers arrive - UCB 241

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.	Students arrive - busses drop off in/near lot 13
·	Rooms include: LaSala A, B, C, UCB 265/266, 2nd Stage West, Kiva, Sands 101, 103, 105

9:45 -10:45 a.m.	City presentations and students create March posters

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.	Assemble at Paley Gates

11:00 a.m.		Bell tolls to start "March on West"

11:00 -11:15 a.m.	March - down campus center, split at fountain, meet on Fletcher lawn

11:20 - Noon	Gather at pond for program and "I Have a Dream" presentation
11:20 - Welcome by Emcee and Chair Omayra Ortega
11:23 - National Anthem - 
11:26 - University/Campus Greeting - Dean Calleroz-White
11:31 - Black National Anthem - Desmond
11:34 - City Roll Call by Duku Anokye
		·	Montgomery
		·	Birmingham
		·	Jackson
		·	Detroit
		·	Little Rock
		·	Atlanta
		·	Memphis
		·	Greensboro
11:39 - "I Have a Dream" performed by Charles St. Clair
11:54 - Nina Simone - I'm Feeling Good
11:58 - Closing remarks by Omayra Ortega - dismiss by school
		·	First: Park Elementary
		·	Canyon Elementary
		·	Norterra Canyon School
		·	Carden Traditional School
		·	Las Briasas Elementary
		·	Foothills Elementary
		·	Paseo Hills Elementary
		·	Kingdom of Learning Montessori
		·	Stetson Hills Elementary

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Students lunch and planned activities on multipurpose field

1:00 - 1:30 p.m.	Students depart campus
		·	Teachers are given giveaway bags