Entries in the township’s recent art and essay contest were displayed at the recreation center on Jan. 8. Student contestants were directed to focus their entries on the ideals of Martin Luther King. The ceremony also saw Councilman Wayne Love (below) present a plaque to retired U.S Navy Capt. Timika “Timi” Lindsay, the event’s guest speaker and a Paulsboro native.
Students, residents and township officials gathered on Jan. 8 at the township recreation center to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights message and ideals.
The event included awards in an art and essay contest the township sponsored with school district students from preschool to the eighth grade. The art portion of the contest featured portrait drawings of King, and the essay portion required students to write about a theme related to his message and ideals.
“It was all school-age children participating in the contest,” according to Mayor Paul Medany. “It’s meant for education on the topic and to get students involved in municipal government. All the kids get something for participating.”
Winners of the contest numbered about 100 and were chosen by district teachers. They each received a certificate, trophy and gift card from council for their accomplishments.
The awards event also featured guest speaker Timika “Timi” Lindsay, a retired Navy captain who spoke about the importance of celebrating King and how his message can be applied to today. The Paulsboro native is a graduate of the U.S Naval Academy who served for close to 30 years. She was given a plaque for her participation in the ceremony from Councilman Wayne Love, who shared his own thoughts on King.
“We do know that he led the civil rights movement for 13 years,” he pointed out. “But he also did a lot of things that happened in between. The Nobel Peace Prize, winning a lot of awards, the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, but also being able to go to college at 15 years old.”
About 300 people attended the ceremony, according to Medany, including students’ families, Police Chief Joseph Smith and some of his officers.
“Building the community,” Medany observed. “That’s what these events were about, and this one was a success. Council members were in attendance and people got the chance to meet us, something they otherwise might not have gotten. It’s really important for the kids to meet us, as well as meet the police and the chief.”
