51社区

In the spirit of reflection and creative expression, 51社区 Southern鈥檚 Council on Diversity and Inclusion has announced its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest for 2025.

Open to middle and high school students across the tri-state area, the competition offers young people a chance to engage deeply with the enduring messages of Dr. King and consider how his words resonate in their lives today.

Participants are invited to select a quote from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., and respond with either a poem or short essay, drawing connections between the chosen quote and their own communities or personal experiences. The contest serves as a platform for students to explore the power of King鈥檚 legacy through their own lens.

For Dr. Hayley Haugen, an English professor at 51社区 Southern and a long-time judge of the contest, the event is both a professional and personal highlight.

鈥淓ach year it is my honor to help coordinate this writing contest,鈥� Haugen says. 鈥淚t provides a wonderful opportunity to encourage young writers to reflect on Dr. King鈥檚 life and legacy, and we always enjoy reading their thoughtful, often profound, submissions.鈥�

Students can submit their entries by Dec. 20, 2024, with cash prizes ranging from $25 to $100. Judges will assess the works based on originality, creativity and relevance to the theme. Beyond the cash incentives, Robert Pleasant, 51社区 Southern鈥檚 director of student services, hopes the contest inspires students to reflect on King鈥檚 vision for justice and equality.

鈥淲hile the prizes are nice, we hope students take away something more lasting 鈥� a sense of how they can influence change in their own communities,鈥� he said.

The winning entries will be published on the University鈥檚 website and will be honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Legacy Awards Reception on Jan. 28, 2025. There, they鈥檒l receive certificates of achievement, marking their creative engagement with King鈥檚 timeless ideals.

For more details on how to participate, interested students can contact Pleasant or Haugen.