MLK Essay Contest Winners Announced
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest Banquet on Thursday, Jan. 22, recognized ninth- and 10th-graders who participated in the contest that honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The contest was sponsored by the Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College Office of Student Affairs and the Fairmont State GEAR UP Partnership.
The essay topic was "Dr. Martin Luther King's vision and its impact on this election year." Cash prizes were awarded for first place ($500); second place ($300); and third place ($200). Christie Allen of Clarksburg, a ninth-grader at Notre Dame High School, took first place. Emily Biggs of Helvetia, a 10th-grader at Pickens School, won second place. Gina Paugh of Jane Lew, a ninth-grader at Notre Dame High School, received third place.
"I think this is a 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 create an essay that reflects Dr. King's beliefs."
One of the goals of the contest was to encourage students to read some of King's writings. All students were encouraged to show in their writing that they reflected on one or more of King's speeches or essays. The essays were judged by faculty members of the FSU Department of Language and Literature.
Pictured from left to right are Persis Bates, FSU Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs; Gina Paugh, third-place winner; Emily Biggs, second-place winner; and Christie Allen, first-place winner.
