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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WORCESTER CITY COUNCILOR KATHLEEN TOOMEY TO BE HONORED AT 14TH ANNUAL REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BREAKFAST

(Worcester, MA - January 11, 2008)—Worcester City Councilor-at-Large Kathleen Toomey will receive the Dr. George Storms Smith Youth Service Award at the 14^th Annual Youth Breakfast honoring the memory of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Worcester State College, Saturday, January 19, at 8:30 a.m., in the Gymnasium. “Worcester State College is so proud to be honoring Kate Toomey,” said Worcester State College President Dr. Janelle Ashley, “not only for her incredible commitment to the City of Worcester but her legacy of commitment to education.  As a Worcester School Committee member, Kate was a tireless advocate for students.”  Worcester Mayor Konstantina Lukes will also present Toomey with a Key to the City at the event.  

Dr. George Storms Smith, one of the founders of the MLK Breakfast, will also be honored with an award in his name. “Dr. Smith has taken a stand for equality and justice throughout his entire life,” said Director of Diversity Edna Spencer.  As a community activist, Smith worked with citizens and legislators to keep funding for programs that are vital in Worcester. His efforts to increase funding and credibility of the Prospect House resulted in the founding of the Henry Lee Willis Center.

The Martin Luther King Community Breakfast has become one of the premier community events of the year for Worcester youth.  The theme of the MLK Youth Breakfast, Youth Against Violence, is a program for youth, by youth. The breakfast is designed to build awareness of the principles and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as take a peaceful stand against violence, especially youth violence.  The first annual event drew 200 youth and today the number has grown to over 500.

Local students are involved in the planning and development of the program agenda each year, thus providing an opportunity to develop organizational and developmental skills. The all youth program consists of skits, music, and readings based on Dr. King’s life and teachings. All honorees, speakers and award recipients (Community Service and MLK Poetry Contest Winners) will be youth from the Worcester areas that are selected by their peers. 

Danielle Miles of Holy Name High School will receive the MLK Community Service Award and Worcester State College students Charles Klemba and Bien Ha will receive the President’s Scholarships of $1,000 each.  Local students will also be recognized in the poetry contest:

            Eliana Agudelo, Grade 7, Holy Name Middle School
            Lorena Beqo, Grade 10, Claremont Academy
            Veronie Cazeau, Grade 9, Doherty Memorial High School
            Shera Demchak, Grade 11, Doherty Memorial High School
            Andrew Guzman, Grade 11, Accelerated Learning Laboratory
            Edward Habib, Grade 12, Holy Name High School
            Dione Ihebon, Grade 10 Claremont Academy
            Samantha Kelly, Grade 7, Sullivan Middle School
            Marta Kozlowska, Grade 12, Claremont Academy
            Hanh Thi Lam, Grade 10, Claremont Academy
            Abigail Moylan, Grade 8, Sullivan Middle School
            Ophelia Okoh, Grade 8, Forest Grove Middle School

The MLK Youth Breakfast is open to everyone. Tickets are $5 per person.  For more information, contact the Diversity Office/Affirmative Action, Worcester State College, (508) 929-8117

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