The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, works with the communities of Arkansas, encouraging them to embrace alternatives to violence and to discover their common humanity through activities that stress racial and cultural diversity. Once again, the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission implements programs that are designed to promote the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor his life and legacy.
A Day of Service is the official state observance of the congressionally legislated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a United States holiday that marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a renowned civil rights leader who fought for equality and recognized the power of service. He said, "Everyone can be great because everybody can serve." Observing the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday through service is a way to begin each year with this in mind.
In promoting this message of service, we encouraged and challenged the youth of Arkansas to demonstrate what they can do to keep Dr. King’s dream alive and relevant during the 2022 King Holiday: Day of Impact Essay Contest. Lake Hamilton Junior High student Peyton Bump received the highest score and has been named the overall winner of the essay contest.
In addition to being a winner of the essay contest, Peyton will be presented the 2022 Susie Everett Youth Community Service Award that will be presented by Susie Everett, Owner of Everett Buick GMC on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the Little Rock Central High School, 1500 S Park St, Little Rock, AR 72202, during the 2022 HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Basketball Game between Arkansas Baptist College and Philander Smith College. Lake Hamilton Junior High School will also be awarded a $1500 scholarship from the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission courtesy of the Sam’s Club and Walmart.