Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2017 Student Essay Competition
Living the Dream, Inc.
Living the Dream, Inc. is sponsoring its 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.StudentEssayCompetitionfor Topeka area students in grades first through twelve.
Prizes and Recognition
Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners in each grade category on Monday,January 16, 2017at10:30 am duringthe King Holiday Celebrationat the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site located at 1515 SE Monroe.All participants will receive a certificate of participation. The winning essays will be displayed at the Brown Historic Site,January 16-21, 2017. Each winner’s name willbe printed in the Topeka Capital-Journal or on-line as print spaceallows.
Essay Grade Categories
The essays will be judged in the following grade competition categories:
1st -2ndGrade 3-4th Grade 5-6th Grade 7-8th Grade 9-10th Grade 11-12th Grade
Essay Guidelines
- Grades 1st–6th: TYPED OR HANDWRITTEN (legible) in 100 words or less
- Grades 7th–12th: TYPED OR HANDWRITTEN (legible) in 500 words or less
- All entries submitted shall be double-spaced and submitted in a neat format as the winning essays will be displayed. The student’s name should onlyappear on the Essay entry form.
- Failure to comply with the entry rules will result in the essay not being eligible for judging or awards.
- Graduating high school seniors must submit a separate essay for the Living the Dream college scholarship application.
Essay Themes
The essay should represent the writer’s interpretation of diversity, justice, peace, human rights, or non-violence as reflected in a quote or principle from advocates such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma K. Ghandi, César E. Chavez, Nelson Mandela or another great human rights leader. Students may also submit anessaythat promotes the2017 Living the Dream Theme: “We Must Build Dikes of Courage to Hold Back the Floods of Fear”a quote spoken by Dr. King.
Where Do I SendMy Essay?
All essays and completed entry forms can be mailed or delivered to: Betty Young, Chairperson,Living the Dream Essay Competition, Burnett Administrative Center, 624 SW 24th Street,Topeka, KS 66611 oremailed to: .If you should have questions about the Essay Competition,please contact Ms. Young at (785) 295-3087.
When is the Essay CompetitionDeadline?
All entries must be submitted or postmark no later than 4:30 pm on Monday, December5, 2016. Allwinners will be notified during the week of January 9, 2017.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
2017 Student Essay Competition Entry Form
Living the Dream,Inc.
School Name: ______Teacher:______
(Please print or type)
Teacher’s email address______
Grade Category: Please check a grade category and circle your grade.
1st-2ndGrade 3rd-4th Grade 5th-6thGrade
7th-8th Grade 9th-10th Grade 11th-12th Grade
Student’s Name: ______Student’s Age: ________
Student’s Address: ______
Student’s Phone Number:______Student’sEmail Address:______
Title of Essay: ______
______
I understand that my child’s essay will be entered and judged in the Living the Dream, Inc. Student Essay Competition. I further understand and consent to any subsequent printing and display of the essay as deemed appropriate by Living the Dream, Inc. I understand that this essay is submitted for the sole purpose of this Competition and will not be sold or otherwise used for any commercial purpose unless permission is given by me, as guardian of the above named student. I understand that this essay will only be considered if submitted or postmarked by 4:30 pm onMonday, December5, 2016. I consent to the use of this submission to be judged in the Essay Competition and fully understand that my child has no entitlements or guarantees of prizes or recognition as a result of this entry, unless he or she is selected as one of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place winners by the designated judges for the Competition.
THE ESSAY ENTRY FORM MUST BE SIGNED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE COMPETITION.
Parent or Legal Guardian (Print Name)______
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian ______
Email Address of Parent/Legal Guardian______
Phone Number of Parent/Legal Guardian______
Student’s Name (Print Name)______
Student’s Signature ______
Date ______
Note: Please submit youressay andentry form by 4:30 pm on December 5th to Betty Young, Chairperson,Living the Dream Essay Competition,Burnett Administrative Center, 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611 or bye-mail to: .