Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

The Celebration of Freedom 2012 was held Monday, January 16, 2012 at 8:30 am at Athens High School Auditorium and is organized by the Troy MLK Day Committee and made possible by continued support from the City of Troy and the Troy School District.

Troy, Michigan is home to many cultures, faiths, and people willing to share and work together. Our MLK Day Celebration of Freedom hopes for a world whose people and nations can triumph over poverty, racism, war and violence. We celebrate Dr. King's vision that all faiths have something meaningful to contribute to building the beloved community.

The 2012 program featured the Troy Honors Choir and Ray C. Johnson.

Ray Johnson founded and assisted in the development of schools across the country. He has been a pioneer in the realm of character education, accelerated learning, multicultural and African-Centered curriculum through his groundbreaking, site-based management. He has elevated parental and community involvement to record-breaking levels. Due to his unique ability to engage the reluctant learner and raise student achievement, he has earned the distinction of being one of the country's top educational consultants.

Also featured were the winners of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest. This year's theme is "What Influence Has the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Had on You?"

2012 Essay Winners

First Place: Claire Hao, 6th Grade, Boulan Park Middle School

Second Place: Rida Farook, 7th Grade, Larson Middle School

Third Place: Venkatesh Bajji, 6th Grade, Baker Middle School

Honorable Mention: Samantha Small, 7th Grade, Larson Middle School

First Place: Ruchica Chandnani, 9th Grade, Troy High School

Second Place: Anna Balas, 9th Grade, Troy High School

Third Place: Jessica Lo, 11th Grade, Athens High School

Honorable Mention: Michael Peng, 11th Grade, Troy High School

For more information, call 248.524.1147.

Celebration Sponsors

2012 Gold Sponsors

• Alliance Mobile Health
• City of Troy
• Sodexo Food Service
• Troy Community Coalition
• Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence
• Troy School District
• Walsh College

2012 Silver Sponsors

• Big Beaver United Methodist Church
• Community Bowling Centers - Troy Lanes & Bowl One
• Lutheran Church of the Master
• Troy Interfaith Group
• WOW! Phone*Internet*Cable

If you would like to support the event, you may make contributions by check to "Troy Community Coalition - MLK Fund." Please mail to:

MLK Day Committee c/o Cindy Stewart
500 W Big Beaver Road
Troy MI 48084

The MLK Day Committee includes representatives from the City of Troy and Troy School District.