Anderson Area Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission and Anderson Community School Corporation Diversity Equity and Inclusion Department are sponsoring its first annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest for Anderson Community School students in grades 5-12. Dr. King was a supporter of human rights and justice for all. This contest is designed to further engage our youth with Dr. King’s inspiring legacy, vision and leadership.
Essay Prompts
Elementary and Intermediate School (grade 5-6): Identify two problems in your school, neighborhood or community and what you would do to solve these problems. Include a quote from Dr. King and explain how it inspires your solution. (250-500 words; 1-2 pages double spaced).
Middle School (grades 7-8): Building off a quote from Dr. King, describe how you can help create a more just, inclusive and peaceful society. How can you work with your peers to make a difference? Identify your own aspirations for your community and what Dr. King means to you (500-750 words; 2-3 pages double spaced).
High School (grades 9-12): Incorporating a quote from Dr. King, explore how the principles of justice and oneness can be used to transform our divided world into a united one. Discuss how Dr. King’s ideals, philosophy, and principles apply to our collective lives and impact your daily life. What solutions would you offer to promote peace and equity in your community? What would be the roles of young people and adults in implementing your solutions? (750-1,000 words; 3-4 pages double spaced).
Criteria
Entries will be judged by members of the Anderson Area Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission and Anderson Community School Corporation Diversity Equity and Inclusion team and their designees using the following criteria.
- Insightful (30 points): Clearly articulates a point of view that demonstrates critical thinking and analysis.
- Supported (20 points): Used appropriate examples, reasons, or imagery to support the position.
- Innovative (15 points): Express independent thought, creative expression, and an unexpected approach
- Organized (15 points): Argument if focused, concise and coherent with a logical flow.
- Impactful (10 points: Conveys meaning and makes a thought-provoking connection to the audience.
- Well-written (10 points): exhibits skillful use of language; excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Only one entry per participant is permitted. Essays must be the original work of the individual student, not published previously in any form, including online. Any indication of plagiarism or use of artificial intelligence (such as Chat GPT) will be grounds for disqualification. Poetry will not be considered for this contest.
Submissions
All entries must be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than 3 PM on Friday, December 20, 2024. Entries that do not include the following will be returned without review.
- Subject line: 2025 MLK Contest Entry
- Body of Email: Student’s full name, grade, teacher and school; and students mailing address, phone number and email address.
- Essay attachment: Typed, double-spaced, in 12- point font, conforming to the designated word count
- Certification of originality: A separate attachment from the student’s teacher, parent, or guardian declaring that the work submitted is the student’s own.
Awards
Cash prizes will be awarded for first ($75), second ($50), and third ($25) places in the categories of elementary/intermediate, middle and high school students. There must be a minimum of four contestants per category for cash prizes to be awarded in each category.
Winners will be notified by January 3, 2025 and should be prepared to share their entries as follows:
- First place winners will be invited to read their essays at the City of Anderson Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program on January 20, 2025 at the Paramount Theater.
- Awards will be presented by ACSC and The Dr. King Commission on January 13, 2025 at the Anderson community School Board Meeting
For additional information, please contact Dr. Treva Bostic at (765) 641-2003 or [email protected].