Western New Mexico University will hold its annual celebration commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr on Monday, January 16. The event will take place at Light Hall Auditorium beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Each year, members of the community are honored for service to others and this year’s award will be given to Gary Stailey and New Mexico State Senator Howie Morales. A longtime advocate for youth, Stailey worked as a juvenile probation officer for 23 years with the sixth judicial district. Stailey is now the program coordinator for the Community Youth Building Program.
Each week Stailey organizes youth activities throughout the community and has partnered with organizations such as the Volunteer Center of Grant County and the Silver City Gospel Mission.
Representative Morales is a member of the New Mexico Senate having served the 28th District since 2008. A graduate of WNMU, Morales has been a leader in the field of education for decades having been a successful educator and coach with area school districts. He served as the Grant County Clerk prior to being elected to the Senate.
The event will include live performances of music related to the civil rights area, followed by a free screening of the movie Selma. The Academy Award-winning film was released in 2014 and is a historical drama based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.
A discussion of the topics covered in the film will follow the screening. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. For more information, contact 575-538-6336.