Canandaigua to host MLK Day celebration

The City of Canandaigua, New York will present its 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Celebration on Monday, January 19th, 2015 at 12 noon at the First Congregational Church, 58 North Main Street in Canandaigua. Mayor Ellen Polimeni will preside as Mistress of Ceremonies. The celebration will conclude at 12:55 p.m. and will be followed by a free light lunch in the dining room. All are welcome.The focus of the celebration is to honor the life, legacy and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The City of Canandaigua is proud to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by continuing this tradition,” says Mayor Polimeni. “We look forward to seeing the many talents of the Canandaigua students being featured as we celebrate and honor Dr. King.”Canandaigua Academy Drama students under the direction of Scott Schauman will present a selection of Dr. King’s speeches and writings. The dramatic reading will be accompanied by the Canandaigua Academy Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Greg Kane. The annual celebration will also feature winners of the MLK Jr. Poster Contest. Students in grades 3-4-5 compete to produce the best poster art. Three (3) winning posters from are chosen from each grade level and the winner are each awarded a $25 cash prize. The artwork is then displayed locally and used for future promotions for the celebration. The winning posters are used as program covers for the annual celebration. This year new lamppost banners will be displayed on Main Street Canandaigua that will feature artwork from all nine (9) winners from 2014. The City’s MLK Jr. Day Celebration Committee established a $500 MLK Jr. College Scholarship to recognize a Canandaigua Academy high school senior who exemplifies Dr. King’s vision in the world. The scholarship is awarded each year in June at the Canandaigua Academy Commencement Ceremony. Students must be actively involved in the community and take a stand against injustice in our society. All CA seniors are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Applications are available at the Academy’s guidance office. Past recipients include Jenna Wood, Tyler Fisher, and Lauren Bates. The community is encouraged to attend and participate in the celebration. Edie Rice will direct the Community Choir singing “Precious Lord”. Rehearsal is scheduled for 11 am, Monday, January 19th at First Congregational Church. All singers are welcome to join the Community Choir for this event. For questions or further information, please call Tom Herbek at 394-2184, email [email protected] or go to www.canandaiguachurch.org