The Lawrence school district is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Awards.

This is the second year for the event, in which the public can nominate students, teachers, school staff, community leaders or community groups for one of four awards: MLK Character, MLK Dreamers, MLK Heart of Service or MLK Champion of Equity. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with the school district and prior award winners may be renominated for additional achievements from 2015. The criteria for each of the MLK awards as well as the nomination application can be found on the district’s website.

The character award — criteria for which include humility, positive influence and responsibility — can be presented at multiple levels: prekindergarten, elementary, middle school and high school.

The equity award — presented to those working toward systemic change that promotes justice and equity — can also be presented at multiple levels: student, staff and community.

The deadline for nominations is Nov. 15. Awards will be presented during the Lawrence school district’s Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 21, 2016.

2015 Award winners

Heart of Service Award:

Rev. Leo Barbee

Rev. William Dulin

Character Award:

Vivan Podrebarac, Quail Run student

Omar Morales, Southwest Middle School student

Sadie Keller, Lawrence High School student

Dreamers Award:

Daniel Dorado Subieta, LHS parent

Champion of Equity Award:

Patrick Wedel, Kennedy Elementary

Cara McNorton, Kennedy Elementary

Rev. Verdell Taylor