The Thermal Belt Friendship Council is currently accepting applications for its 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Scholarship. All qualified Polk County and Landrum graduating high school students are welcome to apply. In keeping with the mission to bridge the racial gap between our communities, the MLK Grant panel is looking for students who demonstrate compassion and initiative for social justice in the community.

Polk County and Landrum High School students are able to get information on how to apply for the MLK Scholarship application at the school guidance office. All applicants will need to return the completed application and a copy of their transcript to their school guidance counselor on or by Jan. 5, 2015. The same deadline will apply to private and home school students who may request scholarship applications directly from the Friendship Council via dtatnall@yahoo.com.

The 2014 MLK Scholarship was awarded to Andrew Suber Brown, who currently attends North Carolina A & T University.

The 2015 scholarship will be awarded at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration to be presented by the Thermal Belt Friendship Council at the Tryon Fine Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 17.

The council will also award MLK Creative Arts Competition first, second, and third cash prizes to middle school entrants in the essay and visual arts categories at the January event. Intended to inspire middle school students to contemplate the issues of diversity and social justice, the entries are judged for craftsmanship and content. Winning student entries will be displayed during the reception at the event.

There is no fee to belong to the Friendship Council and new members are always welcome. Meetings are held once a month at Roseland Community Center in Tryon on the corner of East Howard and Peake Streets. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m., Dec. 16). Other Friendship Council programs this month include caroling at White Oak Manor at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, followed by a potluck at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 6 p.m.

To make a tax deductible contribution to the MLK Scholarship Fund or Creative Arts Competition awards, email the Friendship Council President, Donna Tatnall, at dtatnall@yahoo.com or mail donation checks to Thermal Belt Friendship Council, PO Box 414, Lynn, NC 28750. Please specify in the memo line whether the gift is for the MLK Scholarship, MLK Art Competition or unrestricted. For more information about the Thermal Belt Friendship Council, go to http://friendshipcouncil.homestead.com.

 

– Article submitted 

by Robin Edgar