Essay Contest Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Area sixth- and seventh-graders are eligible to participate in an essay contest to
honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The contest is sponsored by the Fairmont State Office of Student Affairs and the
Fairmont State GEAR UP Partnership.
"I think this is great opportunity for all students to learn about the great, late
Dr. King," said Persis Bates, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs. "This contest
allows students to go beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge about Dr. King
to an essay. Hopefully, as part of our goal, participants will get a chance to express
their opinions about his dream and its effect on their lives."
Cash prizes will be awarded for first place ($300), second place ($200) and third
place ($100). The award winners will be announced at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at a
banquet in the Falcon Center. All contest participants will be invited to the banquet.
The essay topic is "Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how has his dream affected
your life?" Essays should be 150-200 words and typed in 12-point type or neatly handwritten
in ink. Each essay should have a cover sheet with the following information: student's
full name, school name, address of school, student's home address and teacher's name
in upper right corner. Judging criteria will include grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Incomplete submissions will not be eligible for judging. Essays should be submitted
by Wednesday, Dec. 8, to Persis Bates, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, Fairmont
State, 1201 Locust Ave., Fairmont WV 26554.
The essays will be judged by faculty members of the FSU Department of Language and
Literature.
For more information call Persis Bates at (304) 367-4215.
