The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force Committee is seeking submissions for the 2009 MLK Youth Essay Contest. The contest is open to all Southfield and Lathrup Village elementary (grades three and up), middle and high school students. This year’s theme is: “Do you believe the 2008 presidential election is changing how people think about Dr. King’s dream?”
A $200 U.S. Savings Bond will be awarded to one elementary, middle and high school student. Winning essays will also be published in the 2009 MLK Peace Walk Program Book. Each essay must contain the student’s name, school, home address, phone number, and current grade on the front page or cover sheet. Middle and high school entries must be typed in a 12-point font, double-spaced on white 8.5''x11'' paper; elementary school entries may be handwritten. Essays will be judged on creativity, clarity, content and adherence to the theme. Essays are limited to a maximum length of 250 words; one entry per student. All essays must be received or postmarked by Saturday, December 20, 2008. Entries should be mailed to: Walter Bentley, III, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force Committee, 18885 Carmona Street, Southfield, MI 48075. Entries may also be e-mailed as an attachment in Microsoft Word to: essays@mlktaskforcemi.org.
Southfield was the first city in the state of Michigan to hold a Dr. King peace walk or march. The first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk took place on January 20, 1986, commemorating the first national observance of Dr. King’s birthday. The walk continues to grow in size and scope each year with year-long educational and community activities. The 2009 MLK Peace Walk Celebration will take place on Monday, January 19 beginning at Hope United Methodist Church at 9:30 a.m., followed by a program at the Southfield Pavilion at 11 a.m.