January, 2022

The 2022 theme for the annual Living the Dream, Inc. competition is:

"We Must Accept Finite Disappointment, But Never Lose Infinite Hope"

"Living the Dream, Inc., was chartered as a not-for-profit community based organization in 1985 by Robert Bugg to serve as a multi-cultural citizen's group to help preserve the legacy and example to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to plan appropriate ceremonies and programs in conjunction with the legal King Holiday enacted by the Congress of the United States." (ltdtopeka.com)

"The goals of Living the Dream, Inc., are to enhance Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence throughout the year, to recognize and teach human understanding, and to promote academic excellence. Toward these goals, Living the Dream, Inc., provides scholarships to students that meet scholastic requirements set forth by the Living the Dream Board." (ltdtopeka.com)

Gloria Mendez, Highland Park HS, 10th grade

Gloria's drawing is called "The Historical Movement". The themes Human Rights and Justice inspired Gloria's drawing. When asked about the motivation behind this entry, Gloria said, "...this connects to the legacy of Dr. King because they all connect to being able to look up to him and the others in my drawing...We need to continue the legacy of being there together and helping others out. The important thing all of us can do to continue The Dream is to accept people that are different from us, because we are all still a living human [that has] feelings..."

Other historical figures in this drawing include (from left to right) Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama.

Isabella Juarez Milton, Quincy Elementary, 3rd grade

Here is what Isabella had to say about her entry: "I feel really good about my Martin Luther King Jr. artwork because I spent my whole entire class time on it. I like to take my time on art. I learned that Martin Luther King Jr. helped our community get better, and he helped everybody go to the same school together. I think the best adjective for Martin Luther King Jr. is "brave" because every time Martin Luther King Jr. was pushed down by someone he got back up again."

Written behind MLK are more adjectives Isabella described him as, such as "determined", "loyal", and "friendly".

"Annually, in honor of Dr. King, Living the Dream, Inc., recognizes individuals, organizations, and corporations for their outstanding contributions to the Topeka and Shawnee County community. Emphasis is placed on acknowledging those who often go unnoticed." (ltdtopeka.com)

It is always fun finding an excuse to celebrate the arts. Every day is a special day!

... Polka Music Day (Jan 1)

... Women Rock! Day (Jan 3)

... Pop Music Chart Day (Jan 4)

... National Screenwriters Day (Jan 5)

... Birthday, Elvis Presley (Jan 8)

... International Choreographers Day (Jan 9)

... Poetry at Work Day (Jan 11)

... Stephen Foster Memorial Day (Jan 13)

... National DJ Day (Jan 13)

... Museum Selfie Day (Jan 19)

... National Kazoo Day (Jan 28)

... Yodel for Your Neighbors Day (Jan 30)

... National Draw a Dinosaur Day (Jan 30)

... Grammy Awards Day (Jan 31)

... Inspire Your Heart with Art Day (Jan 31)

Chris Reynolds

Consulting Teacher of Fine Arts

Kailey Johnson

Data Recorder, Music Librarian

Email: creynolds@tps501.org
Website: topekapublicschools.net/
Phone: (785) 295-3944