mlk essay contest 2023

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Winners of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest

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The MLK Holiday DC Committee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute Alumni Association and community partners, presents the winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest 2023. Over 100 D.C. elementary, middle and high school students wrote essays addressing: What does Dr. King’s “Dream” mean to you? And the winners are…

What the “I Have A Dream” Speech Means to Me

Thane Frederick

Breakthrough Montessori PCS, 5th Grade, Ward 4 Resident

When I think of the “I Have A Dream” speech, I think of a wish, or a hope that things will get better. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.” Later, King goes on to talk about how Black men and women are still not free.

I think when MLK said, “I have a dream,” it meant that he wanted everyone to take the final step. They took the first step to end slavery. He wants people to take the final step to end segregation and to end unfair laws for Black men and women.

The “I Have a Dream” Speech means to me that Black men and women have a wish that they can be free; a wish that they won’t just be free but will be free of unfair laws. When MLK made his speech about unfair laws, things were different. Black men and women were separated from white men and women and had different schools, neighborhoods, stores, and restrooms. One of the really bad things was that the stuff for the Black men and women was not nearly as good or fancy as the stuff that was for the white men and women.

From my personal experience, I never had this problem. First because those laws have been mostly resolved, and second because even if those laws had not been dealt with by now, I would not have had to deal with it because of my skin color. I would not have a complete perspective of the other side of the page.

Something that would make King happy right now is that, he said, “I have dream that Black boys and black girls will play with white boys and white girls,” and in my life that part of his dream has been fulfilled. In my school, I have a very diverse class with a lot of Black and white kids that play together.

Even though all of this has been said, we still have more to work on, like the fact that Black and white people are sometimes paid differently, even if they’re doing the exact same job, or the fact that Black people get shot more than white people.

We can use MLK as inspiration to keep going. We shouldn’t just stop here. You and I can make a difference by going to peaceful protests, or just being nice in general.

Nathan Goulbourne Williams

Brookland Middle School, 6th Grade, Ward 7 Resident

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech of August 28, 1963, is one of the most well-known and impactful pieces of American history. In it, he outlines his vision of an America in which all individuals are judged not by the color of their skin but instead by the content of their character. He outlines a new America in which the civil rights of all races and genders are respected and upheld, and his iconic closing words encapsulate his dream: “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

The dream has not changed from its original 1963 conception — that is, a nation in which all people are truly equal in the eyes of not just the law, but also in the eyes of society. This goes beyond simply legal equality, as unfortunately there are still many instances in which racial prejudice persists and will continue until tangible action is taken to stop it.

“The Dream” then was a call to action to fight systemic racism and economic injustice, while the Dream now is focused on dismantling oppressive systems and achieving equity and inclusion. We have seen progress since 1963 with more people of color, particularly Black people, gaining access to higher education and socioeconomic opportunities. At the same time, we have yet to fully realize “The Dream.” Racism and racial discrimination continue to threaten the ideals of equality, equity, inclusion, and justice for all. The recent civil unrest across the country due to police brutality has exposed the reality that “The Dream “still has many miles to go before it is realized.

Achieving this dream, however, is not an easy feat and will take the collective social and political efforts of individuals from all levels of society. It requires us to confront our biased notions of those different from us and have meaningful conversations rooted in trust and understanding. It requires us to challenge injustice when we see it being committed by someone within or outside of our community, and to create an environment of true respect and appreciation for all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or creed. It is through these efforts that we move even closer to realizing the dream envisioned by Martin Luther King Jr.

In addition to acting individually, we must also act collectively and strive to support those

in government, companies, or other organizations that are actively making an effort to bring about a more equal and just America. This may include but is not limited to supporting legislation to end police brutality, working together to close the widening wealth gap, and ensuring that access to quality education and healthcare is made available to all people. Each of these steps can go a long way in helping to ensure that the dream Martin Luther King spoke of is achieved and less discrimination against races Martin Luther King Jr. was an African American leader in the U.S.

He [Dr. King] lost his life while performing a peaceful protest for the betterment of Blacks in America. His real name was Michael King Jr. He was among one of the great men who dedicated their life for the community.

Ultimately, there is still much more work to be done to fulfill the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. shared in 1963. And for us to reach a place of safety and acceptance for all our citizens, it is essential that we continue to push for change that is rooted in justice and equality for all.

Those of us who have the power to make an impact must use it to help bring about a future in which every person is respected and appreciated for the content of their character and treated equally. Only then can we live in a world where the King’s dream is fully realized. Therefore, we have many more things to understand, and we all have different opinions on things, but this should not be a problem although black people are not the only race that has been discriminated against and not paid well.

Justice Turner

Landon School 11th Grade, Ward 4 Resident

Have you ever desired something so profoundly, that you attempted to do the impossible to achieve your aspiration? If so, you can relate to the legendary, noble and renowned Martin Luther King Jr., who is embedded in our history.

Martin Luther King had one primary “Dream” in life, which was to eradicate all forms of discrimination, and oppression against African Americans and other minorities. To fight racism, King led a successful non-violent movement against an entire system ruled by a long history of oppression and intimidation. What Martin Luther King did was unimaginable, because most people who opposed racism were too afraid to fight. They witnessed lynchings, beatings, and other horrors of the times committed against African Americans and chose to stay quiet, but not King. King’s achievements made him one of the most well-respected African Americans in history.

As a young leader, the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about in 1963 continues to be a source of inspiration for me. To me, the dream represents the idea that all people, regardless of their race or background, should be treated with respect, dignity, and equality. It means that everyone should have the opportunity to live a full and prosperous life, free from discrimination and prejudice.

Thanks to King and a few other brave freedom fighters, over time there has been the increasingly better treatment of minorities, especially African Americans. Although we have seen improvements, the problems of the day revolve around racial profiling, police brutality, marginalization, and continuing unjust treatment of African Americans. Both African Americans and White Americans are equally responsible for ending this problem. We, as African Americans are going to have to do a better job to get rid of negative stigmas about our race by working better as a community. This is going to include stopping all the black-on-black violence, gun violence, and all irresponsible behaviors. We must do just as MLK did, to fight injustice with non-violent wisdom.

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.

MLK was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, and was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He is remembered each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. was important because he was a leader in the civil rights movement, which sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the United States. Through his leadership, activism, and inspiring message of nonviolence, he helped to bring about major changes in the laws and attitudes of American society.

MLK’s advocacy for civil rights and social justice inspired people around the world and he is widely considered one of the greatest figures in American history. Muhammed Gandhi was Martin Luther Kings inspiration for doing unimaginable things he did. They both shared the same concept of non-violence, which was revolutionary, because of how it changed the way white people looked at African Americans. Martin Luther King looked up to Mr. Gandhi as a source of inspiration to better his methods of nonviolence and share similar ideologies (Stanford University).

Even though Gandhi had an entirely different situation than MLK, they both used the same tactics to achieve a similar end goal. With this new concept of nonviolence emerged a brand-new type of protesting. The peaceful protest was the epicenter of how African Americans were able to express their inner beliefs and thoughts on the discrimination drawback (“Repression of Peaceful Protest”).

Regarding my viewpoint on the subject, essentially, I agree with all of MLK’s philosophies and beliefs. When I hear the word dream, I think of someone’s desire to achieve something in the distant future. However, these dreams could all be attainable if one puts their mind to them, and work hard for whatever it is that they desire.

Me, I have many dreams that I desire to accomplish by the end of my life, and reflecting on King’s fight, makes me know that my dreams are attainable as well. Me being a youth leader automatically gives me the responsibility to go above and beyond in my community. When looking at the MLK Jr. “I have a Dream” speech on YouTube, shows the immense support MLK had when delivering his speech (SullenToys.com).

MLK had a huge following of people, because of how powerful of a person he was. When I look back, I simply wonder if MLK could have accomplished his “dream” without the immense support of everyone that put their lives on the line to help him. People were constantly at risk of going to peaceful protests with groups like the KKK lurking at every corner (History.com Editors). It really shows the unity that was involved in this “dream” making it not MLK’s “dream” but rather our “dream.” Looking at King’s support, makes me realize that I am not in this fight alone. I must use those around me. “Two heads are better than One!”

MLK’s dream was a motivating factor for every African American citizen to help end this racial injustice that was present in all of America. King broke barriers so we would not have to break them again.

To me, the dream is a representation of all Black people and our aspiration for a better tomorrow. The overall philosophy of our dream has not changed much since the 1900s. We still desire equality!

The present-day dream of equality needs to be focused on racial profiling that is present in the United States, which leads to hate crimes against minority groups. A prime example in recent times was the killing of George Floyd, which was seen as police brutality against African Americans. The New York Times talks about how George passed away because an officer kneeled on his neck. This is merely one of the many examples of present-day racism.

There are also several issues that are hindering the victory of the dream. One of these is the ongoing problem of systemic racism, which affects many aspects of society and can be difficult to address. Additionally, there are those who oppose the idea of the dream and seek to maintain the status quo of inequality and discrimination. It is important for those of us who support the dream to stand up against these forces and work towards creating a more just and equal society.

To conclude, the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about in 1963 remains a powerful and inspiring vision for a better world. While there has been progress toward achieving it, there is still much work to be done. By taking action to address issues of inequality and injustice and working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, we can continue to move closer to realizing the dream for all people. This means taking action to address issues such as racial and social injustice, economic inequality, and prejudice against marginalized groups. It also means educating ourselves and others about these issues and advocating for change in our communities to attain the dream, we must continue to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Specifically related to me, I still believe there is much work that needs to be done present day, to create a better tomorrow. Specifically, we as African Americans need to create a better image of ourselves rather than sit and complain when we are being discriminated against. Unfortunately, over the years some of us have painted ourselves in a way that doesn’t represent Martin Luther King’s dream.

Personally, my “dream” is to walk down the street without being seen as a “threat” to others because of the color of my skin. Fortunately for us, we have today and tomorrow to change this identity. We must not sit back and wait for a leader. We must realize that WE are that leader. I must be the one to create change! I must be the Dream!

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Competitions

Essay contest.

Essay Prompt

4-6 Prompt Compose an essay about the life and impact of historical or current figure in society. Explain how their life and work inspires you to dream about your own future.  Be sure to cite at least 2 references from historically accurate sources such as texts, speeches, periodicals, and reputable websites.

7-12 Prompt Compose an essay that presents a dream you have for your life and/or the lives of future generations. Include references to impactful historical events and leaders (positive or negative) that have somehow helped to shape your dream. Detail the actions you plan to take to ensure your dream becomes a reality and how it will benefit others as well.  Be sure to cite 3-5 references from historically accurate sources such as texts, speeches, periodicals, and reputable websites.  

Contest open to Grades 4-12

Judging Divisions: 4-6 // 7-8 // 9-12 Up to 3 entries per division, per site will be accepted

Essay Contest Rules

• Essays must be the original work of the student. It must not have been published previously in any form, including online. Any indication of plagiarism will be grounds for disqualification.
• Essays must clearly address the contest theme and prompt.
• Essays may not be identical to any speech submissions. 
• 4-6th Grades -- up to 750 words
• 7-8th Grades -- up to 1,000 words
• 9-12th Grades -- up to 1,500 words
• Essays should be typed in English with size 12 font and 1” margins and include a works cited page
• Include a cover sheet with student name, grade, and school.  This information will be removed prior to judging to ensure anonymity.
• Students must submit essays by Friday, November 15th at 11:59PM via Google Form.
• Top three entries from each division will be displayed and recognized at the awards ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, January 14th at Clovis Veterans Memorial District.

FRESNO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

• Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, Superintendent
• 1111 Van Ness Avenue
• Fresno, CA 93721

2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Essay Contest

A total of *$27,500 in scholarship awards will be presented to eight finalists:

• 1st Place receives  $10,000
• 2nd Place receives  $7,500
• 3rd Place receives  $5,000

*Awards of $1,000 will be presented to five honorable mentions.

Essay Contest Rules & Eligibility  

The 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest is open to high school seniors attending a City of Dallas high school. These Scholarships are to help defray the cost of tuition, books, room and board, etc. Winners will be required to submit a short video of their scholarship acceptance and will be formally recognized at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship & Awards Gala on Saturday, January 13, 2024 .

Submission Deadline:

December 1, 2023

Apply Online:

http://bit.ly/MLKScholarship24

Download Flyer

Incomplete applications WILL NOT be considered. Prior scholarship winners are ineligible to apply.

2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week

In January 2024, the City of Dallas will host its 41st annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of equity, diversity, and opportunity. The week will include a Day of Prayer, a Day of Service, a Wreath Laying Ceremony, Job Fair, Equity Symposium, Youth Summit, and Scholarship & Awards Gala. Celebration week will culminate with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.

Click here to learn more about 2024 MLK Celebration Week!

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STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

The Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday Committee of Washington, DC in partnership with the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute Alumni Association and our Community Partners have joined together to sponsor The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Essay Contest.

Presented by: Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute Alumni Association

View essay contest rules and submission instructions below before getting started. ALL students must UPLOAD their essays via a .WORD DOC or a .PDF

Essay Topic

“ Bending Toward Truth and Justice “

Elementary School Essay Prompt:

Identify two problems in your neighborhood or community and what would you do to solve those problems.

Middle School and High School Essay Prompt

What solutions would you offer to bring peace to our city? What would be the role of young people in your solutions?

Word Requirements:

Elementary 4th-5th  |  250-500 words Middle  6th-8th  |  500-700 words High School 9th-12th  |  700-1,000 words

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023 at 11:00 PM

 Email Questions and Concerns ONLY to: [email protected]

ESSAY WRITING SUPPORT!

The 5 Step Essay Writing Process That Will Help You Write Better Papers

• Step 1: Determine your purpose for writing the paper. …
• Step 2: Write down everything and anything about your topic. …
• Step 3: Organize your thoughts. …
• Step 4: Start writing, then take a step back. …
• Step 5: Grade your own paper.

Essay Topic Support Videos & Essay Writing Assistance Links

• High School Writing Link – https://form.jotform.com/MYLIAA/2024-mlk-jr-dc-essay-contest—HS
• Middle School Writing Link – https://form.jotform.com/MYLIAA/2024-mlk-jr-dc-essay-contest—MS
• Elementary School Writing Link – https://form.jotform.com/MYLIAA/2024-mlk-jr-dc-essay-contest—elem

Essay Contest Rules and Submission Instructions

Contestants must be a DC Resident and a student attending a Public School, Charter School or Private/Parochial School.

  Essay Contest word count submissions for each contestant group will be:

• Elementary School Students Grades 4 and 5 a minimum of 250 and a maximum of 500 words
• Middle School Students Grades 6, 7 and 8 a minimum of 500 and a maximum of 700 words
• High School Students Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 a minimum of 700 and a maximum of 1,000 words
• Submissions must be original work that has been produced or created by the contestant.
• We ask that all contestants include their name, school, grade and e-mail address (if you have one) with your essay submission.
• All essay contest winners will be requested to provide a short biography and a picture that could be published with your essay in local newspapers, on the internet on the DC MLK, Mayor’s Youth Leadership Alumni Association and some of our partnering organizations websites, publications, and television shows. Winning contestants will be required to sign a Media Release Form. Contest Winners that are 17 years and younger must have the parent/guardian(s) sign the Media Release Form.
• All essay submissions must be received by December 16, 2023 , 11:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).
• Contestants can submit only one essay entry.
• Submissions must be relevant to the essay topic as mentioned above. Essays will be judged upon their clarity, relevance to the topic submitted, organization, sentence structure, grammar, mechanics and spelling.
• Contest finalists will be notified by email.
• Contest winners will be announced.
• Contest winners schools will be notified as well.
• 1st Place Elementary, Middle School, High School Divisions -$300 dollars
• 2nd Place Elementary, Middle School, High School Divisions -$200 dollars
• 3rd Place Elementary, Middle School, High School Divisions- $100 dollars
• Prizes will be awarded through check or money/pay cards.
• Essay Contest entrants who do not have access to the internet or an understanding of how to submit their essay on-line are encouraged to get assistance from a parent/guardian, family member, teacher or school administrator to submit their essay on-line.
• Handwritten essays should be scanned to a file and submitted on-line.
• In the event that a student has no means to submit the essay on-line they should call Norman Nixon on (202) 236-6904.

Essay Contest Submission Instructions

• Go to the MLK Holiday DC website at https://mlkholidaydc.org and click on the Get Involved link and scroll down to the MLK Student Essay information page and click on the Get Started link to fill out the contest application and submit your essay.
• Essays can be typed into the essay submission portal or uploaded through the attachment link provided.
• The MLK Holiday DC Committee or the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute Alumni Association (MYLIAA) are not responsible for connectivity issues or unexpected site outages that my prevent participants from submitting essays for consideration before the deadline. We consistently maintain the site in order to have it available and operational at all times. However, it is recommended that contest submissions are not left to the last minute in case of unexpected technical difficulties with the site.
• In order to be considered, all essays must be submitted by December 16th, 2023 – 11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).
• If you have any additional questions, please submit them to: [email protected]

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contest

Public school k-12 student essay and visual art contest.

2024 Contest Materials (pdf)

The Missouri NEA Human Rights Committee is sponsoring the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay and Visual Art Contest for K-12 public school students. The theme for the 2024 contest is "Leadership and Service." Students are being asked to reflect on the qualities of leadership and service that were exemplified by Dr. King, and how they can apply those qualities to their own lives. 

Winners are determined in six categories based on grade level. 

• Grades K-2 and 3-5: Written essay with a poster
• Grades 6-8 and 9-12: Written essay
• Grades 6-8 and 9-12: Visual Art (spoken word, poem, song, drawing/digital media)

 A certificate and gift card is awarded to each first-place ($75), second-place ($50), and third-place ($30) winner in the five categories. The teachers of winning students will receive one $30 gift card. 

An MNEA-affiliated local association must host the initial contest and submit first-, second-, and third-place winning posters in any or all of the six categories (up to 18 entries per local association). Entries must meet all the qualifying criteria to be judged at the state level. See the informational packet for details. 

Entries achieving finalist status should then be mailed or hand-delivered to Missouri NEA Headquarters, Attn: Lauren Vinson, 1810 E Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

All final entries must be received by MNEA no later than Jan. 15. Late entries will not be judged.

Contest winners will be announced at the Spring MNEA Representative Assembly . Winners will receive certificates and gift cards soon thereafter.  Questions?  Contact Lisa Blaha, MNEA UniServ Director at  [email protected]  or (636) 614-7501.

2024 Winners

1st place Yashvi Thallapally Parkway School District

2nd place Shrita Shresth Parkway School District

3rd place Ava Jamison Pattonville School District

Grades 6-8 (Student Essays)

1st place Kunjal Srivastava Columbia School District

2nd place Kunjal Srivastava Rockwood School District

3rd place Wanda Ellen Marengo Rockwood School District

2nd place Lyla Bell Clayton School District

 3rd place  Shree Nidhi Sikkal Kumar Parkway School District

Grades 9-12 (Student Essays)

1st place Layla San Agustin Neosho School District

2nd place Elma Keljic North Kansas City School District

3rd place Ellie Moore Neosho School District

Grades 9-12

Not awarded in 2024

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Latah County Human Rights Task Force

Strengthening the bonds of community to embrace diversity and reject bigotry..

Welcome to the Latah County Human Rights Task Force webpage!

Click here to register for united against hate..

A little about us and ways to become involved!

Our 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on January 21st was a great success with an excellent presentation by Dr. Scott Finnie. A video of the Breakfast, including the Rosa Parks Awards and Dr. Finnie’s speech is now available here: 2023 Breakfast and Friends of Human Rights .

The Rosa Parks Award winners are available here: 2023 Rosa Parks Award Winners | Latah County Human Rights Task Force (humanrightslatah.org)

The Art and Essay Contest winners are available here: 2023 Art and Essay Contest Winners | Latah County Human Rights Task Force (humanrightslatah.org)

Dr. Scott Finnie’s Keynote address at the 2023 MLK Jr. Breakfast:

AREA RESPONSE TO ANTISEMITISM

Check out the recent Palouse Pride Day under Recent Events here: Palouse Pride Day 2021

Our mission:  To work for social justice for all people by supporting diversity, respect, and inclusiveness, while opposing bigotry, harassment, and discrimination.

Please click our Announcements tab for current or upcoming events. (For upcoming events visit: Upcoming Events )

These are annual events that the Task Force currently sponsors:

• Martin Luther King Art and Essay Contest – January
• Presentation of Rosa Parks Human Rights Achievement Awards – January
• Human Rights Day at the Moscow Farmer’s Market – September (Visit: HR Day )
• Great Moscow Food Drive – August
• Human Rights Education Programs for Area Schools – throughout the school year

and we encourage you to attend or support us in these events.

Meetings of the Latah County Human Rights Task Force are generally held the second Thursday of each month, and you are welcome to attend.

Please visit our Facebook page: Facebook

If you are interested in joining, volunteering, or attending a meeting, please see our Contact Us page: Contact Us

MLK Essay & Poetry program Awardees

Dr. martin luther king, jr. essay & poetry program awardees.

Awardees 2024

1st : Ashlynn Marie Richwine 2nd:  Ariana Raji Joshi 3rd: Mila Maggio

Honorable Mentions Felicity Gray Sara Ruiz  Shayleen Colmenarez-Hernandez Reagan Schroeder Josef Castañeda Entry

1st: “Born to Love” – Benke Sepulveda 2nd: “ Nurturing a Sustainable Future: My  Contribution to Environmental and Social  Justice ” – Frida Pulido 3rd: “Contributing to Social Justice is a Privilege” – Linda Galindo

Honorable Mention “Time is of essence” –  Charlotte Carter  “The Time is Always Ripe to do Right”       Morality in Social Justice ”  – Alex Ceja  

1st: “Ripe Moment” – Takunda Chikowero 2nd: “True Colors and a beat up heart”  –  Kaiya Kaminski 3rd: “You made a difference ” –  Apolline Colburn

Honorable Mentions “Helping people” – Kai Wanner “Kindness is Justice” – Kristasofia Castañeda “Link” – Laney Checketts “Just one word”  – Tessa Hope “Rising Strong”  – Amelia Maday

1st: “A call for change” – Sara Fakinos 2nd: “Shining light on justice ” –  Evelyn Cakins 3rd: “MLK we remember ” –  Angel Santana

Honorable Mentions “Liminal”  –  Husna Baleven “Brown in a Room Full of White”  – Valeria Zamora “Rise Up”  –  Isla Barat

Awardees 2023

1st : “Speak Out” – Reagan Schroeder – Grade 6 2nd: “ Martin Luther King ” – Adaline Alexandra Le Renard – Grade 5 3rd: “From My Heart” – Isla Ramirez – Grade 4

Honorable Mention “He Had a Dream and So Do I” – Charlotte Carter – Grade 5

1st: “Flower to Fruit” – Benke Sepulveda – Grade 8 2nd: “The Importance of Martin Luther Kind Jr” – Taylor Bronson – Grade 9 3rd: “Impact On My Community” – Mayleen Montes De Leon – Grade 11

Honorable Mention “Hear and Heal” –  Clehann Howard – Grade 10  

1st: “Let Us Fly” – Amelia Maday – Grade 4 2nd: “He was…”  –  Alexandra Le Renard – Grade 5 3rd: “A Divided Poem ” – Declan Yeung – Grade 4

Honorable Mentions “Making People Happy” – Kai Wanner – Grade 2 “Change the World” – Julie Parker – Grade 2 “My Brother” – Lochlan Whalen – Grade 2

1st: “Broken Treasures” – Lauren Lee – Grade 10 2nd: “How to Fix 77 seconds ” – Anna Morrison – Grade 10 3rd: “Listening Goes A Long Way ” – Olgha Mbarka – Grade 10

Awardees 2022

1st : “Don’t Hide Your Feelings” – Amalia Cruz 2nd: “ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Dream ” – Jaden Barker 3rd: “Dreams” – Chloe Henson

Honorable Mentions “Essay” – Dominic James Beane “Martin Luther King, Jr.” – Lillian Richardson “Martin Luther King, Jr.” – Siena Schmidt

1st: “The Struggle for Equality” – Rick Juarez 2nd: “Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy” – Taylor Blackmore 3rd: “Abbie’s Essay.” – Abbigail Delwiche

1st: “Together” – Ronnie Gloo 2nd: “ Martin Luther King Day ” – Blaise Challen 3rd: “ The Voice we Have ” – Quincy Wong

Honorable Mentions “In a New Light” – Ximena Naranjo “I have a Dream.” – Camilla Elizondo “An Acrostic Poem in Honor of Dr. King.” – Laklyn Wood “Children of the Way” – Rudy Gloo

1st: “Fight Feathers” – Julia Weitzman 2nd: “A Single Garment of Destiny ” – Noah Slotnick-Latrisco 3rd: “ Waking Up” – Alejandro Marin

Honorable Mentions “It’s Raining Today” – Sierra Mayoral “MLK Poem” – Kate Cooney “Untitled” – Fiona Casbarro “Love and Hate” – Jasmine Lopez-Lopez “We Shall Overcome” – Liana Marie Ahedo

Awardees 2021

1st: “How should One’s Morals be Defined?” Kamea Boucher Carpinteria High School

2nd: “The Importance of Speaking up for your Ideals” Carolina Peace – 13 Marymount School

3rd: “What can make you a Better Person?” Hannia Hernandez Carpinteria High School

1st : “No More Silence” Noah Slotnick-Lastrico – 12 La Colina Junior High

2nd: “What Is Right” Ashley Hansen – 12 La Colina Junior High

3rd: “Martin Luther King Jr.” Lillian Richardson – 9 Marymount School

Honorable Mention : “Why it is so important to Speak up” James Steel Foothill Elementary School

1st: “Betrayal, Silence” Kundai Chikowero Dos Pueblos High School

2nd: “Solidarity” Sarah Dent – 10th grade Dos Pueblos High School

3nd: “Our Voices Are Heard” Miles Souza – 17 Carpinteria High School

Honorable Mentions “I Am What I Am” Fatima Lopez – 17 San Marcos High School

“Martin Luther King was an Amazing Man” Ember Reiter – 13 Marymount School

“Rise Up” Ravi Pandya – 13 Marymount School

1st : “The Journey to Freedom” Elena Beckman Knox School

2nd: “This is Us” Zoe Rogers Peabody Charter School of SB

3rd: “When Happiness Goes Down” Sam Kasting- 7 Marymount School

3rd: “Say Their Names” Jonah Archer Foothill Elementary School

Awardees 2020

1st Alexis Persoon Carpinteria High School

2nd Asiah Raymie San Marcos High School

3rd Sasha Carter Los Olivos School Illianna Ramirez Santa Barbara Junior High

1st Noah Slotnick-Lastrico Washington Elementary School 2nd Angel Hernandez Washington Elementary 3rd Kaia Drayton Hollister Elementary Ashley Hansen Washington Elementary School

1st Summer Slotnick-Lastrico San Marcos High School 2nd Kundai Chikowero Dos Pueblos High School 3rd Hialei E. Pangaling Los Olivos School Svenja Leonard Carpinteria High School

1st Charly Crane-Flores Roosevelt School 2nd Santiago Munoz Roosevelt School 3rd Bella Hofmeister Foothill Elementary

Awardees 2019

1st Michelle Qin “All for All” Dos Pueblos High School

1st Nolan Carney “Standing up and Speaking Out” Roosevelt School 2nd Angelle Breton “Together We Stand” Roosevelt School 3rd Aislinn Wilson “Together We Stand” Santa Barbara Middle School

Gia Manriquez “Together We Stand” Roosevelt School

1st Kundai Chikowero “Together for A Future Generation” Dos Pueblos High School 2nd Delia Dominguez “Together we stand” Carpinteria High School 3rd Noor Guefroudj “Together we stand” Dos Pueblos High School Jasmine Gutierrez “Together we stand” Carpinteria High School

1st Jaeda Natale “Together we Stand” Roosevelt School 2nd Lea Anderson “Together we Stand” Roosevelt School 3rd Grace Gorman “Poem 1” Montessori Center School Gwen Chenoweth “Together we Stand” Roosevelt School

Awardees 2018

1st Michelle Qin “The Human Right” Dos Pueblos High School 2nd Gabriel Ohedo “Martin Luther King, Jr.” Carpinteria High School

1st Olivia Battles “Speak Up” Roosevelt School 2nd Noah Zakrzewski “MLK” Monte Vista School 3rd Noah Slotnick-Lastrico “MLK” Washington School Connor MacPherson “MLK” Montessori Center School

1st Kundai Chikowero “Follow the Legacy” Dos Pueblos High School 2nd Hali Schwasnick “Colors” Carpinteria High School 3rd Jeanette Fantone “For The Oppressed” Carpinteria High School Max Coppel “Life in America Has Changed” Carpinteria High School

1st Zachary Horne “My Dream for Our World” Roosevelt School 2nd Aspen Newhouse “Democracy” Montessori Center School 3rd Tessa de Albergaria “Living a Nightmare” Roosevelt School Tali McPeters “Democracy” Roosevelt School

Awardees 2017

1st Michelle Qin, Dos Pueblos High School

1st Alana Sanchez, Roosevelt School 2nd Gracie Meinzer, Roosevelt School 3rd Lyla Bollag, Montessori Center School Aislinn Wilson, Montessori Center School Omar Alsabagh, Montessori Center School Zahra Clark, Montessori Center School Lorraina Uyeno, Montessori Center School

1st Ava Gropper, Carpinteria High School 2nd Kundai Chikowero, Goleta Valley Junior High 3rd Jasmine Guilarte, Santa Barbara High School Jaime Hernandez, Carpinteria High School

1st Stella Scheim, Roosevelt Elementary School 2nd Quinn Davis, Roosevelt Elementary School 3rd Pearl Stadler, Roosevelt Elementary School Malaika Dewar, Roosevelt Elementary School Christian Frausto, Roosevelt Elementary School Sam Peacock, Roosevelt Elementary School Gabriel Gallardo, Roosevelt Elementary School

Awardees 2016

1st  Michele Qin, Dos Pueblos High School 2nd  Emanuel Goldam, Valley High School 3rd  Anahi Hernandaz, La Cumbre Jr High School 3rd  Analise Cuevas Poetry

1st  Kundai Chikowero  2nd  Wesley Lin  3rd Lauren Neubauer 3rd Finney Israel

1st  Crystal Landeros, Carpinteria High School 2nd  Sophia Qin 3rd  Jonathan Carrillo

1st  Madison Tuchman 2nd  Nayon Kim 3rd Brittany Gamble 3rd  Kathryn Chenoweth

ADL Essay Award  

Natasha Franco 

Awardees 2015

1st  Jaiani Hammonds, Franklin Elementary School  2nd  Allison Mooney, Roosevelt Elementary School  3rd Maddie Fitz, Roosevelt Elementary School  3rd  Charlie Hess, Roosevelt Elementary School

1st  Place Miranda Vazquez, Santa Barbara High School 2nd  Micaela McBee, Santa Barbara High School 3rd  Andrea Gaytan, Santa Barbara High School 3rd  Sofia Warren, Santa Barbara High School

1st  Celene Sanchez, Roosevelt Elementary School 2nd  Lola Crane-Flores, Roosevelt Elementary School 3rd  Owen Rybnicek, Roosevelt Elementary School 3rd  Jeffrey Helman, Roosevelt Elementary School

1st  Berenice Ruiz, Santa Barbara High School 2nd  Malia Jungert, Santa Barbara High School 3rd  Cooper Johnson, Santa Barbara High School 3rd  Alana Ochoa, Santa Barbara High School

Awardees 2014

1st  Michelle Qin, La Colina Junior High 2nd  Esme Butkiewicz, Goleta Valley Jr. High 3rd  John Givans, Goleta Valley Jr. High 3rd  Sammy Moore, Goleta Valley Jr. High

1st  John Chambliss, Santa Barbara High School 2nd  Lauren Flemming, Santa Barbara High School 3rd  Addy Santos, La Colina Jr. High School 3rd  Sarah Douglas, San Marcos High School

1st  Natasha Romanchuk, La Cumber Jr. High  2nd  Leo Glikbarg, Goleta Valley Jr .High  3rd  Benjamin Kreitzer, Roosevelt Elementary  3rd  Noah Robinson, Roosevelt Elementary

1st  Berenice Ruiz, Santa Barbara High School 2nd  Sarah Douglas, San Marcos High School 3rd  Martina Arroyo, La Colina Jr. High 3rd  Sam Haj, La Colina Jr. High

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New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission

Essay Contest NJ MLK Commemorative Commission 2023 ' Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere ' Scholarship Essay Contest

Mlk23 scholarship contest is closed..

SEMIFINALISTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL WHEN AND WHERE TO SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS & LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.

The NJ MLK Commemorative Commission's 2023 Scholarship Essay Contest is open to NJ residents in Grade 12.

Due Date: 5 PM, Friday, February 24, 2023

Note funds must be disbursed directly to the school by June 24, 2023.

**To apply for scholarship, complete online application below**

REQUIRED ESSAYS:

The New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is proud to offer 10 scholarships to current high school seniors who are New Jersey residents in the amount of $5,000 per student. The scholarships will be awarded based on review of application by the independent reviewers appointed by the Commission. The online application includes three (3) essays on assigned topics. NOTE: Applicants selected for the final review will be required to email 2 school and community service reference letters and official high school transcript.

Applicants must respond to the following three essay questions:

• How does the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspire you as you think about your future? (100to 300 words)
• Please tell us about your service to others during your high school years. (100 to 300 words)
• The Gandhian Society recently opened the Eternal Gandhi Peace Center in Atlantic City, NewJersey. In your own words, how do you think Mahatma Gandhi influenced Dr. Martin Luther KingJr.? (100 to 300 words)

After initial screening, applicants who are selected to continue will be asked to email the Commission:

• Two (2) letters of reference from teachers, advisers, clergy and/or representatives of community-based service programs.
• Official High School Transcript from 11th Grade.

Failure to provide any of the required elements may disqualify the application.

Submit an Essay

* Required.

Applicant Information

Advisor/adult contact information:, essay questions.

Applicants must answer all three (3) essay questions. ( Write essay in word processing program and copy and paste finished essay into field )

How does the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire you as you think about your future? *

Altanta History Center

History Channel

New Jerseyans Reflect on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in commemoration of his 90th Birthday

NJ Quotes on MLK

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Georgia Bulletin

The newspaper of the catholic archdiocese of atlanta.

MLK poster, essay contest winners inspired by Scripture 

By georgia bulletin staff | published january 20, 2023.

ATLANTA—As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Office of Intercultural Ministries and Office of Catholic Schools coordinate an annual essay and art contest for students.   

The theme for this year’s contest was based on Romans 12:12 to be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Students reflected on the Scripture when creating art and writing for the program.  

The 2023 student winners in the three categories, as chosen by judges, are:  

Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest (Chosen by a committee of representatives from the Office of Intercultural Ministries)   

1st Place—Adrienne Bartlett, St. Thomas More School.  

2nd Place (Tie) Valentina Martinez, St. John the Evangelist School and Felicity Burchfield, St. Catherine of Siena School.  

3rd Place—Isabella Nguyen, St. Mary’s Academy.  

MLK Poster Contest (Chosen by a committee of representatives from the Office of Intercultural Ministries)     

1st Place (Tie)—Regina Hung, St. Peter Claver Regional School; Kelsie Nguyen, Zia Topple and Bowan Taylor, St. Joseph Parish School (Athens).  

2nd Place (Tie)—Andres Diaz-Garcia, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Cannon Roberts, St. Mary’s School (Rome).  

3rd Place (Tie)—Katy Karschner, Holy Redeemer School and Sienna Smith, Our Lady of the Assumption School.  

Chancery’s Choice Poster Contest (Selected by employees of the Chancery)  

1st Place—Margo Lair, Queen of Angels School.  

2nd Place—Jackson Small and Sarah Small, St. Thomas More School.  

3rd Place—Vivienne Guthrie, St. John the Evangelist School.  

MLK Celebration Sacramento

Page updated 1/31/2024

11th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Sacramento Regional Essay Contest | Sponsored by ABC10 and The Sacramento Kings The submission period for the 2024 MLK Essay Contest has concluded. Thank you to all participants.  Winners will be announced in January 2024.

The MLK Essay Contest Is Sponsored By :

2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest Information.

We are pleased to announce the 11th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Sacramento Regional Essay contest .  The essay contest was created to further engage our youth with Dr. King's legacy, vision, and leadership that inspired a nation.

Essays will be judged on creativity, clarity, content, coherence, and adherence to the theme. Essays must be in your own words; plagiarism is unacceptable and no help from any AI source is permitted.  Essays must adhere to the contest rules below and must be submitted by Friday, December 22, 2023 at 5 pm .

First, second, and third-place winners will receive cash prizes and be recognized as part of the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Saturday, January 27, 2024, being held at Sacramento State University. Additionally, first-place winners from both divisions will be invited to be highlighted during an upcoming Sacramento Kings game.

The essay contest is open to youth (Middle and High School students) who live in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, or Yolo County. 

The 2024 MLK Essay Contest Question

The 2024 MLK Celebration Essay Topic

Given what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. achieved during the 1960s Civil Rights era, the United States today is at another crossroads; what would you do to inspire equity in our country for all people?

High School Division - Cash Prizes

1st Place - $500 | 2nd Place - $300 | 3rd Place - $200

Middle School Division - Cash Prizes

1st Place  - $250 | 2nd Place  - $150 | 3rd Place  - $100

Plus, first-place winners from both divisions will be invited to be highlighted during an upcoming Sacramento Kings game.

Contest Rules • Winners will be chosen from middle and high school categories. • The essay must consist of no more than 500 words. • All essays must be in the writer's own voice. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited, and the use of any assistance or content from AI sources is not allowed. • The essay contest is open to middle and high school entries and must be submitted on 8½” x 11” white background, double-spaced, and typed using a 12pt. font. • Only one entry per student and essays must be submitted by Friday, December 22, 2023 at 5pm.   Late submissions will not be accepted. • All entries MUST include a cover page with the student’s first and last name, grade level, full school name, school district, home address, email and contact phone number. Essays missing this information will be disqualified . • All judging is final. Winners will be notified on Monday, January 12, 2024  via email and telephone. With parental/guardian permission, winners will be interviewed and showcased on ABC10 . • Each winner and one guest will receive a ticket to attend the event.  Additional guests are welcome to attend by purchasing a ticket.

Any essay determined to be in violation of the essay rules will be disqualified.

Download the Essay Contest Flyer

Submit Essays By Friday, December 22, 2023 at 5 pm No Late Entries Will Be Accepted.

How To Submit Entry Send your essay as an attachment in PDF Format to: mlkessaycontestsac(at)gmail.com

Thank you to our MLK Essay contest sponsors

With support from

Past Essay Contest Winners

2023 MLK Essay Contest Winners 2022 MLK Essay Contest Winners 2021 MLK Essay Contest Winners 2020 MLK Essay Contest Winners 2019 MLK Essay Contest Winners 2018 MLK Essay Contest Winners 2017 MLK Essay Contest Winners