Lifetime Achievement Awards
 Dr. Myrtle Hightower (pictured, seated left, with Dee Sampson, Plano ISD diversity coordinator) ~ A pillar in the Plano ISD community, Dr. Hightower served for many years as a counselor in the school district providing both leadership and guidance at Williams High School. Students and parents alike sought Dr. Hightower for her wisdom and experience. Dr. Hightower has also served as the Plano ISD MLK Tribute event chair for 15 years. Her positive spirit and determination raise the bar of cultural awareness and pride in Plano ISD.
 Dr. Jana Flowers ~ (pictured, right) Dr. Flowers served on the Diversity Advocacy Committee for 12 years. She has been instrumental in building positive relationships among the diverse cultures in Plano schools. Dr. Flowers has volunteered countless hours to strengthening cultural diversity in Plano ISD.
 Sam McPherson ~ (pictured, left) As one of the founding members of the Plano ISD Diversity Advocacy Committee who served on the committee for 18 years, Sam McPherson developed his dream to help build trust and unity within the Plano ISD student body, staff and community. Mr. McPherson served as the Diversity Advocacy Committee chair for many years and helped to increase cultural understanding among all people.
Diversity Leadership Awards
Adriana Veytia, Mitchell Elementary School ~ (community winner) Mrs. Veytia has organized the Multicultural Night with great fanfair to honor all different cultures represented at Mitchell Elementary School. She translates Spanish for parents at various meetings and provides support regarding cultural issues for families at home and at school.
 Carolina Williams and Elizabeth Griffin, Davis and Christie Elementary Schools ~ (individual award winners) Ms. Williams and Ms. Griffin created the Parent Academy to help parents adapt to a new culture, learn a new language and to give their children a better life. They created the program at Memorial Elementary School, and now it is offered at 10 campuses including their new home schools of Davis and Christie.
 Cindy Woods and the Williams High School Multicultural Club, Williams High School ~ (group winner) Ms. Woods’ leadership helps students at Williams High School have opportunities to celebrate their own cultures and learn about others as participants in the MultiCultural Club. This club was inspired by the school’s Multicultural Assembly and provides numerous opportunities for students who are new to Williams, and to the country, to learn leadership, to build community, and to engage with others from various cultural backgrounds.
Beverly Elementary School ESL Department ~ (group winner) This group demonstrates its commitment to Beverly’s diverse community through dedication to the academic excellence of all students and to the development of cultural self-esteem. As they build positive relationships among students, parents and teachers, the members of this team serve as advocates for their ESL students and as liaisons for their ESL parents.
Honorable Mention Diversity Advocacy Awards were also presented to: Susie Vaughan, principal at Beaty Early Childhood School; the Stinson PTA Multicultural Committee, Stinson Elementary School; and the Jackson Elementary School Family Services Team.
MLK Art Contest Winners
 School Board President Lloyd "Skip" Jenkins and Plano Mayor Pro-Tem Jean Callison presented Legacy Bank savings bonds to four first place winners in Plano ISD's annual MLK art contest. Students honored at the event were: Katie Mainville, Christie Elementary School; Irania Lopez Salinas, Bowman Middle School; Jiae Azad, Williams High School; and Marti Weaver, Plano West Senior High School. View the top 16 student artworks on our MLK Art Contest Photo Gallery.
Additional Student Performances
 Student participants also included middle school students who formed a "Parade of Nations" to kick off the program, wearing their native dress and processing to the stage. There, Plano Senior High School JROTC cadets posted colors and performed an armed drill.
Other students involved in the program were Williams High School sign language students and Plano East Senior High School Sound Invention.
Starring in an “I Am America” video, and narrating a book by the same name authored by Charles R. Smith, Jr., were students from Head Start and Clark High School. The Plano Children’s Chorale performed a live patriotic medley of songs to accompany the video.
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Plano ISD students beckoned a standing room only crowd to reflect on the dream of late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the school district’s annual tribute event to the life and legacy of Dr. King, which was held on the evening of January 22 at Plano Centre. 
