Image Awards to honor active community members

Martin Luther King Jr. promoted racial diversity and strengthened his community by helping others. \nThe Martin Luther King Image Awards, a banquet and award ceremony sponsored by the Black Student Union, honor both King and those who follow in his footsteps.\nThe Image Awards, presented at 7 p.m. today in the Indiana Memorial Union's State Room, recognize 10 students and faculty members who are active in community service.\n"I feel that people deserve recognition," said junior Shaunette Byers, Black Student Union president. "It is not all the time that people recognize you for all your campus involvement."\nThe Union began its planning at the beginning of the fall semester. The group sent out e-mails and advertisements encouraging people to submit nominations for the awards. \nUnion historian Crystal Smitherman, a junior, said most of the nominations came from student organizations.\nTo make a nomination, people were required to write a brief description of the person and include what effect that person has on the community.\nThe Union executive board established criteria for the winners, including community service, integrity and racial harmony.\nSmitherman said the board was looking for "someone who is actually making an impact and has a good image all around is a good candidate."\nStephanie Lofton, a sophomore and Union member, was nominated for an Image Award. She said she has been involved in a variety of cultural and community service events with the Union. \n"The image awards are important because they support the way Dr. King was involved in his community, and those things better the world as a whole," Lofton said. \nWhether she wins or loses, Lofton said the most important thing is helping the community and people in need. She said volunteering is something she likes to do and will continue to do after the awards. \n"I would be very honored and surprised if I received an award, but I don't have to be thanked for what I do," Lofton said.\nThe banquet is designed not only to honor the recipients, but King as well. Byers said the ceremony will be a way to reflect on what King stood for.\nThe ceremony will open with a prayer. Speakers and award winners will address King and his accomplishments. Each recipient will be given a chance to speak.