Rules

Students must interpret the contest theme through original written or artistic expression.  All essays, art work, and DVDs become the property of MLK Coalition, and will not be returned.  For more information please call Dr. David L. Jacobs at (626) 794-9031

Performing Arts BulletMLK Essay Contest Rules

Students must interpret the contest theme through an original written essay.

Categories

Essays will be judged in three categories:

Elementary: Grades 4 and 5 (150-350 word requirement)
Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 (350-650 word requirement)
High School: Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (450-800 word requirement)

Eligibility

Any student in grades 4-12 is eligible. Individuals will compete within the appropriate category: Elementary, Middle School or High School.

All essays must be legibly printed or typed, and neat in appearance. Typed copies are required for those competing in the senior high categories.

Judging Criteria

Development of Theme (40 points): The content of the essay should demonstrate an understanding of Dr. King’s dream and who he was. It should include suggestions and ideas for practical ways of addressing his dream.

Organization (30 points): The essay should exhibit clarity of thought, good sentence structure, neat appearance, correct spelling and grammar.

Creativity (30 points): The essay should express fresh, new ideas – originality of thought.

Awards

Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of each of the three categories. Additional awards will be given to the 1st place teacher and school of the winner for each category.

Entry Form Information

All students participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest  must have the entry form attached to each essay.  To download the entry form, click here: MLK Entry Form 2016 – Essay.   Print it out, complete it, and attach it to the essay.  Information that must be included:

  • Studentʼs name (first and last)
  • Parent’s name
  • Address and phone
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Age
  • Grade
  • Teacher’s and principal’s names (first and last)
  • School name

Important Dates and Information

  • If mailed, essays must be postmarked on or before: Friday, November 4, 2016
  • If delivered, essays must be received by: Friday, November 4, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.
  • Winners will be notified by:  Friday, December 16, 2016

Submission Information

One copy of the essay should be sent to:

MLK Community Coalition
Dr. David L. Jacobs
Martin Luther King Essay Contest
444 N. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA
91103-3541

Performing Arts BulletMLK Visual Arts Contest Rules

Students must interpret the contest theme through original artwork.

Categories

Essays will be judged in three categories:

Elementary: Grades 4 & 5
Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8
High School: Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Eligibility

Any student in grades 4-12 is eligible. Individuals will compete within the appropriate category: Elementary, Middle School or High School:

All artwork must be on an 18” x 12” sheet of paper or other lightweight substrate, (bristol board, construction paper, etc.) The artwork may be in mixed media which includes, but not limited to watercolor, pen and ink, charcoal, crayon, acrylic or collage.

Judging Criteria

All artwork will be judged on the use of media, technique and how the student makes use of his or her creativity in interpreting the contest theme.

Awards

Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of each of the three categories. Additional awards will be given to the 1st place teacher and school of the winner for each category.

Entry Form Information

All students participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visual Arts/Poster Contest must have the entry form or a 3” x 5” inch label secured to the lower right hand of the backside of the artwork (secured in such a way as not to destroy the artwork).  To download an entry form, click here:  MLK Entry Form 2016 – Visual Arts.  Print it out, complete it, and attach it to the artwork.  Information that must be included.  The following information should be included:

  • Studentʼs name (first and last)
  • Age
  • Parent’s name
  • Phone number
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Grade
  • School name
  • Teacher’s and principal’s names (first and last)

Important Dates and Information

  • If mailed, artwork must be delivered by Friday, November 4, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
  • If delivered, artwork must be received by Friday, November 4, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Winners will be notified by:  Friday, December 16, 2016

Submission Information

All original artwork must be delivered (via mail or in person) to:

Pasadena Unified School District
Martin Luther King Art Contest
Attn: Dr. Ayesha Randall and Virge Perdue
351 S. Hudson Ave. Rm. 219
Pasadena, CA 91101-3507

Performing Arts BulletMLK Performing Arts Contest Rules

Students must interpret the contest theme through an original artistic expression through dance (ballet, modern, liturgical, etc.), spoken word/poetry, or video production.

Categories

Contestants should select from the following categories:  performance size, genre, and grade level.

  • Performance Size:  Individual, Duet, Group (3 or more persons)
  • Genre:  Dance, Poetry/Spoken Word, Video
  • Grades:  Elementary 4-5;  Middle School 6-8, High School 9-12 (all contestants should be in the same grade level span)

Eligibility

Any student in grades 4-12 is eligible. Individuals will compete within the appropriate category: Elementary (grades 4-5), Middle School (grades 6-8) or High School (grades 9-12).

Judging Criteria

Performing arts presentations will be judged by quality of thematic expression, originality, and presentation.  Additional general guidelines are as follows:

  • Live, instrumental, or recorded music may accompany performances.
  • Costumes, props, and visuals may be used.
  • Explicit or suggestive lyrics, dance moves, and clothing will result in disqualification.
  • Performers must be students in grades 4-12.
  • All performances that go over the time limit will be disqualified.
  • Performances and videos must be transferred to a DVD as a movie.

Dance Criteria

  • Performance must convey the current theme through any dance form (ballet, liturgical, etc.).
  • Performance must be 4 minutes or less.
  • A maximum of 12 dancers per group.

Spoken Word/Poetry Recitation Criteria

  • Performance must convey the current theme through creative delivery of verse.
  • Performances must be 2 minutes to 3.5 minutes.
  • Material performed must be original works/lyrics.

Video Criteria

  • Video must convey the current theme through a narrative, dramatization, documentary, etc.
  • Videos must be 2 minutes to 4.5 minutes.
  • Directors must be students in grades 4-12.
  • Clips from other videos may not be included.
  • Content must be original and reflect the vision of the director.
  • There is no age limit for individuals featured in the video (e.g. grandparents, neighbors, etc.).
  • Video may be written, filmed, and edited by 1-4 persons.
  • No one over 21 years of age is allowed to help with filming, editing, or production.  This is a student project.

Awards

First place winners in the dance and spoken word/poetry recitation contests will perform at the MLK Day Celebration.  Winning video will be featured on the MLK Community Coalition’s website.

Submission Information

All DVDs accompanied by completed entry form.  To download an entry for, click here:  MLK Entry Form 2016 – Performing Arts.  Print it out and attach it to the submission.

Important Dates and Information

  • If mailed, all DVDs must be delivered by Friday, November 4, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
  • If delivered, all DVDs must be received by Friday, November 4, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Winners will be notified by  Friday, December 16, 2016

Submission Information

MLK Community Coalition
Attn:  Dr. Dana Hill
Martin Luther King Performing Arts Contest
444 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103-3541

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