PRESS RELEASE

                                                                  December 19, 2011

                                      Martin Luther King, Jr. 26th National Holiday Observance

The Martin Luther King Social Action Committee (MLK-SAC) announces the schedule of events for the 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday celebration in Thomasville, N.C. Saturday, Jan. 14 through Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. The celebration will mark the 26th Anniversary of the King National Holiday and the 11th Anniversary of the local event. The local theme is “Remaining Hopeful through the Storm.”

The committee is also happy to announce the recipients of the 2012 MLK Community Service Award: Ms. Jane Wilder, Marketing Director of Thomasville Medical Center and Mr. Deboy Beamon, Principal of Thomasville High School.

The highlight of this year’s celebration will be the 11th annual “Oratorical Contest” on Saturday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. at Rich Fork Baptist Church, Thomasville. Dr. King’s great speaking tradition will be continued by juniors and seniors from eight Piedmont area high schools competing for over $6,000 in scholarships and awards this year.

Join us on Monday, Jan. 16 for the 2nd Annual MLK Holiday Classic featuring the Yellow Jackets of Carver High School in Winston-Salem versus the Bulldogs of Thomasville High. The ladies play at 2 p.m., the men play at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5.

For more information, contact Miranda L. Bolton, Executive Secretary/Treasurer at (336) 476-7218 or e-mail at [email protected]

The following is a complete listing of the three-day, six-event celebration:

Saturday, January 14

3rd Annual MLK Peace March (featuring THS Scarlet Regiment Band)

Martin Luther King Drive to Amphitheater – 11 a.m.

11th Annual MLK Awards Dinner & Oratorical Contest

Rich Fork Baptist Church – 6 p.m.

(Tickets $30 for adults, $15 for children under 12)

Sunday, January 15

11th MLK Liturgical Dance Concert & Arts Festival

T. Austin Finch Auditorium – 5 p.m.

(Tickets are $5)

Monday, January 16

9th MLK Community Health Fair

Thomasville Medical Center (TMC) – 9 a.m.

2nd Annual MLK Holiday Basketball Classic

Thomasville High vs. Carver High

Girls – 2 p.m. Boys – 4 p.m.

(Tickets are $5)

26th MLK National Holiday Observance

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Thomasville, NC – 7 p.m.

Pastor Van R. Johnson, keynote speaker