From press and staff reports
The Kosciusko/Attala County Dr. MLK Commemoration Committee has finalized plans for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration activities for 2026. The Image Award Banquet will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased from any committee member. Awards presented will be the Dr. MLK Image Award for Political Involvement and three Lighthouse awards for Health and Wellness, Community Service and Educational Leadership.
The Birthday Celebration will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 10:00 am. The keynote speaker will be Reverend Leonard Jones, Pastor Delydia Hill M. B. Church and Greater New Jericho M. B. Church. Both programs will be held at the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club 500 Knox Road Kosciusko. This year’s theme is Diversity unites us; Love leads us; Action propels us. We are focused on His Dream”. The public is invited to attend.
The Book Review contest is open to all students attending schools in Attala County. Students in grades Prekindergarten to 5th grade are asked to read a book about Dr. King and design a poster using the theme “What does Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream means to me?” Prizes are PreKindergarten – 1st place- Learn Doodle Desk and 2nd Place – Alphabet Foam Mat; Kindergarten and 1st grade – 1st place – V Tech Write and Learn Center and 2nd place – V Tech Tablet; 2nd and 3rd Grade – 1st place – Hed Banz Quick Question Game and 2nd place – Jenga Block Triva Game; 4th and 5th grade – 1st place Pac Man Arcade and 2nd place Think Fast – Shout It Out Triva Game.
Students in grades 6th to 12th are asked to read a book about Dr. King and write an essay highlighting the theme: Diversity unites us; Love leads us; Action propels us. We are focused on His Dream.” Prizes are 6th, 7th and 8th grade – 1st place- Onn tablet and 2nd place - Wirless light up Karaoke speaker; 9th, 10th and 11th grade – 1st place - Onn 32 inch Roku TV and 2nd place – Onn wireless On-Ear headphones; 12th grade- $500 scholarship (one scholarship for each school – available in the fall of 2026). Winners will be announced during the Birthday Celebration on Monday.
Flyers with complete guidelines have been distributed to the schools. All posters and essays are to be turned in by Thursday, January 15, 2026. Students may leave their posters and essays in the office at the school.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Committee Chairperson, Evangelist Annie Winters at 662.582.6662 or committee members Charlotte F. Miller, Debra Jones, Patricia Nash, Mary Harmon and Willie Alice Kern.
