MLK Jr. Day Essay Winners

Once again, members of the Saline Courier editorial staff were given the opportunity to judge the Ralph Bunch Community Action Committee Martin Luther King Jr. Day Essay

Contest.

The essays came from students in first up to 12th grade in Benton

Public Schools.

I had the privilege of joining members of the RBCAC Evelyn

Reed and Linda Smith and employees of Everett Dealerships

Allison Drennen and Maggie

Adams as they visited the schools to present the winners with certificates and cash prizes. Everett provided the prizes.

The winners were surprised and happy.

The theme the students worked from was a quote by King, “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together.”

As I read through this year’s entries, I found myself impressed by many of them. There were over 450 essays submitted. That number was broken down by grade categories so a first grader did not compete against a senior.

One thing that stuck out to me was how many more essays the contest received from high school students. Last year, there were only a handful. This year it felt like a real competition. I found myself struggling to choose the top three from those submitted.

I felt this year many of the essays really put thought and effort into what they wrote. Some were insightful and passionate.

While much shorter, even the younger grades turned in essays that fit the theme.

I feel that overall, the essays were much better this year.

These essays were just one part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations. The rest happened on MLK Day in January.

The day included a prayer breakfast and acts of service. It ended with a parade and the Great Gathering on the Saline County Courthouse lawn.

The day brought together people from across the community.

The essays also brought the students together. They came from students of different ages and races writing on the same theme.

Here is to next year, and the even better essays yet to come.