Last night the Martin Luther King Essay Contest finalists and Art Contest winners came out for a public reading of their essays and display of their art. Students were asked to respond to and interpret this year’s theme through words and art: “Explain how Dr. King dedicated his life so others may enjoy liberties he was denied. Considering his unselfish legacy, what are you doing to leave our culture in a better position for those who come after you?” Hundreds of entries were submitted; and last night, the finalists and their families came out to share their work publicly.
Friends, family, and community members were awestruck by the students’
presentations and illustrations. They were equally inspired by their awareness and articulation of American history and social justice issues and the connections they made with their academic, personal, and philanthropic plans for the future. Dr. David L. Jacobs, Program Director of the MLK Community Coalition mentioned that the evening was an “historic moment” as the year 2013 marks the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and the bombings of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, all defining moments for the Civil Rights Movement.
Please see the list of finalists for the 2013-2014 Martin Luther King Coalition Essay Contest and the list of winners for the Art Contest below. For more pictures from the event, click here. Also, mark your calendars for January 20, 2014, the citywide MLK Holiday Celebration on January 20, 2014, where we will find out the placing of the essay finalists.
ESSAY CONTEST: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION
Emory Schlanger, 4th Grade
San Rafael Elementary
Principal: Mr. Rudy Ramirez • Teacher: Mrs. Del Toro
McKenna Robbins, 5th Grade
Webster Elementary School
Principal: Dr. Jeffrey Bauer • Teacher: Ms. Monique Garza
Amanda Salas, 5th Grade
Webster Elementary School
Principal: Dr. Jeffrey Bauer • Teacher: Ms. Monique Garza
ESSAY CONTEST: MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Johanna Dickie, 8th Grade
Blair IB School
Principal: Mr. Trudell Skinner • Teacher: Mrs. Espinoza
Natalie Brown, 6th Grade
The Gooden School
Principal: Patty Patano • Teacher: Mr. Williamson
Giovanni Fittipaldi, 8th Grade
Wilson Middle School
Principal: Mrs. Rudchenko • Teacher: Ms. Ezieme
ESSAY CONTEST: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
Crissean Simon, 12th Grade
Center for Independent Study Academy
Principal: Mr. Jack Loos • Teacher: Mr. Quaranta
Audrey Cameron, 9th Grade
The Peace & Justice Academy
Principal: Randy Christopher • Teacher: Erin Conley
Kiana Francis, 11th Grade
Center for Independent Study Academy
Principal: Mr. Jack Loos • Teacher: Mr. Quaranta
ART: ELEMENTARY DIVISION
Emory Schlanger, 4th Grade – 1st Place
San Rafael Elementary
Principal: Mr. Rudy Ramirez • Teacher: Ms. Del Torro
Amy Wong, 4th Grade – 2nd Place
San Rafael Elementary
Principal: Mr. Rudy Ramirez • Teacher: Ms. Del Torro
Lilian Valdez, 5th Grade – 3rd Place
Sierra Madre Elementary
Principal: Mrs. Esther Salinas • Teacher: Ms. Lisa Prado
ART: MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Jazlyn Turcios, 8th Grade – 1st Place
Marshall Fundamental Middle School
Principal: Dr. Mark Anderson • Teacher: Ms. Lorraine Lopez
Jillion Albright, 8th Grade – 2nd Place
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Principal: Sarah Rudchenko • Teacher: Ms. Ngozi Ezieme
Dana Mooradian, 7th Grade – 3rd Place
Marshall Fundamental
Principal: Dr. Mark Anderson • Teacher: Ms. Lorraine Lopez
ART CONTEST: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
Yeieun Cho, 12th Grade – 1st Place
Blair High School
Principal: Ms. Trudell Skinner • Teacher: Ms. Vilma Martinez
Samantha Cruz, 9th Grade – 2nd Place
Blair High School
Principal: Ms. Trudell Skinner • Teacher: Ms. Vilma Martinez
Emma Yervandyan, 12th Grade – 3rd Place
Pasadena High School
Principal: Mr. Gilbert Barraza • Teacher: Mr. Alex Schultz