Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students recognized by Monmouth Vicinage

Mr . Wronko students, Jaiden Griffin and Guadalupe Celestino were recognized by the Monmouth Vicinage for their art work.

The following was taken from the Monmouth Vicinage Celebrates Black History Month program.

Monmouth Vicinage Celebrates Black History Month

The Monmouth Vicinage will honor Black History Month on Friday, Feb. 26 from noon to 2 p.m. with a program that includes musical performances, readings, cultural exhibits and a panel discussion that will examine issues affecting African American youth.

The event, “Black America:  Redefining Our History for Tomorrow’s Future – The State of Today’s Youth,” will be held in the jury assembly room of the Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument Park, Freehold.

Monmouth Vicinage Black History Month Program details

Assignment Judge Lisa P. Thornton and Trial Court Administrator Gurpreet M. Singh will give opening remarks.

Panelists and speakers

The program also will feature a panel discussion with speakers Kevin M. Brown, executive director of the Juvenile Justice Commission, and Assistant Attorney General Wanda H. Moore, who directs the Office of Community Justice.

The program will also include:
Readings from Elijah M. Leveille and Steffie Derozin of the Neptune branch of the New Jersey Orators, a nonprofit group for youth that teaches public speaking and other life skills.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr speech

A dramatization of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Where Do We Go From Here?” speech, given by attorney Joseph M. Champagne Jr., chairman of the National Haitian-American Elected Officials Network and a member of the vicinage’s Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns.

Performances

A musical performance from the Long Branch Middle School Jazz Band led by Robert N. Stout.

Vocal performances from vicinage employee Tarika Jean-Pierre, Judiciary law clerk Omari Reid and the Long Branch Soundwave Honors Choir, led by Howard Whitmore.

A performance from The Howell High School Lady Steppers.
African Art and cultural exhibits.

Monmouth Vicinage Black History Month essay winners

Judge Thornton will present recognition awards to winners of the vicinage’s Black History Month essay, poetry and art contest.

The winners are:  Essay and Poetry Winners First Place (Essay)  Anthony Jimenez, Red Bank Regional High School First Place (Poetry) Tori A. Seigler, Long Branch Middle School Second Place Mya Nunnally, Red Bank Regional High School Honorable Mention  Anthony Fosu, Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School Desiree Marshall, Red Bank Regional High School Emily Lugos, Red Bank Regional High School Phoebe Carr, Red Bank Regional High School

Art Contest
First Place (Tied)  Nicholette Glenn, Red Bank Regional High School  Jaiden Griffin, Asbury Park Middle School Second Place  Estefania Hernandez, Long Branch High School  Honorable Mention  Guadalupe Celestino, Asbury Park Middle School  Isabel Halloran, Red Bank Regional High School Amya Hayes, Long Branch Middle School  Group entry, Asbury Park Middle School: Oneid Harley Alexandre, Lydell Brown, Shanice Davis, Sykwan Davis, Erwin Lopez-Gutierrez, Esther Paul, Xeylyn Redway, Gustabo Roque.

Sponsored by the EEO/AA Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns and the Monmouth Bar Association, the program is free and open to the public.