This year, like many others, art teacher Barb Brandtner has decided to incorporate the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration poster contest in several of the NDA art classes’ first semester exams.

The contest is held for students K-12th grade, and this year the theme to build off of is “A Vision for Peace.”

“I think it is a great cause – giving recognition towards Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s hope for peace,” IB Art student and senior Charley Carlson said.

On the official entry form for the contest, it states that the “contest is open to all school-age children (K-12) living or attending school in Brown County. Winning and receiving an award are contingent on attending the event. Only one entry allowed per participant.”

The art students are asked to come up with poster that best portrays the provided theme. For others outside of the art class, an essay or a poem can be submitted.

Some things the judges will be looking for are the entry’s relationship to theme, formatting, originality of idea, writing conventions, voice/creativity, and publishable quality.

“I wish we would get to keep our original piece, but since we have the opportunity to enter this contest, it is all right,” Carlson said regarding the submission rules. Once submitted, the artist’s piece is then the property of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community and the artist only gets a copy.

“Obviously we all would like to be winners. The prizes can be a really big motivation behind someone’s piece,” Carlson joked, referencing the generous awards.

For the 1st place winner in each grade entry level, they will be awarded an iPad Mini & Certificate, to the 2nd place winner a Kindle Wireless Reading Device & Certificate, and last, but not least, for the 3rd place winner, a $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card & Certificate.

Last year, senior (now alum) Hannah Daavettila took home first place, while many other students of Notre Dame Academy received other awards and honorable mentions.

This vibrant, multicultural celebration is free and open to people of all ages. Attendees will enjoy: Musical and dance performances, the inspiring words of Dr. King, A light lunch featuring diverse cuisine served at a reception immediately following the program.

“The theme brings competition because I feel that it is limited in ways to be expressed, but I am excited to see the outcomes from my classmates,” Carlson said.

Winners will be announced during the 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration. The Celebration is free and open to everyone, so students of Notre Dame Academy are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The 19th Annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, January 18, 2014, in the Student Center on the NWTC Green Bay campus.

“It was nice watching the community from all different cultures come together and celebrate. I am glad I got to be part of that,” senior Genesis Huete said, who received an honorable mention for the 18^th Annual Community Celebration.