Tuesday night Principal Gregory White opened the auditorium at Altadena Elementary School for parents, principals and friends to gather and enjoy an evening of oratory skill. Nine students competing in the 2012 Pasadena MLK Annual Essay Contest read from their notable essays as the final task in the contest. Judges were on hand to listen and evaluate the final places for each division.

The students selected at finalists were Victor Hoffman, Janelle Johnson and Kacie Ossmen (elementary division); Jordan Bray, Johanna Dickie, and Axel Tanner (middle school division) and Madeleine Cameron, Patsy Estrada and Hyun-Soo Kim (high school division). Each of these outstanding students shared some insightful observations regarding society, justice and ways to better our communities. Each strode to the podium, swallowed whatever jitters they felt and provided a very competitive evening. And…well, I’d hate to be one of the judges with the task of choosing a “winner.”

The final results will be announced on the Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration January 21, 2013 beginning 9:30 am at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena 91103.

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