September, 21, 2010
The Martin Luther King, Jr. West Virginia Holiday Commission (MLKWVHC) and the YWCA Wheeling are announcing the 18th annual “Project on Racism” essay contest. The contest gives students across the state a thought-provoking theme and question based on the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which they use to express their feelings and views.
King once said “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”
Essay topics:
Grades 1-5–How is your schooling helping you to be a better person?
Grades 6-12–Using Dr. King’s teachings, describe how your education is molding your character.
Any student in grades one through 12 attending public, private, parochial or home school in West Virginia is eligible to enter the competition. Teachers should discuss the quote and topic with students before assigning the essay. The essays must be handwritten, typed or computer generated in black ink on white paper, double-spaced, on one side of the sheet only. The maximum length is 500 words. Winners will be selected based on originality (20 percent), grammar (20 percent), relevancy to theme (30 percent), and effective expression (30 percent).
First, second and third place winners will be chosen in four categories: grades one through two; three through five; six through eight; and nine through 12. The winners will receive a monetary award.
Educators, teachers and parents are asked to help students understand King’s many important contributions and how they still are relevant today. The MLKWVHC and the YWCA Wheeling continue to uphold a strong commitment to the cultural and educational development of all school children in West Virginia.
Entries must be postmarked on or before Nov. 1, 2010, and mailed to YWCA Wheeling, 1100 Chapline Street, Wheeling, W.Va. 26003. Entries also can be e-mailed to kydaniels@yahoo.com, or faxed to (304) 232-0513 by the same Nov. 1 deadline.
Official rules and entry forms are available from the MLKWVHC’s Web site at www.wvmlkholidaycommission.org.
For more information, contact Diana Bell, state coordinator of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay Contest at the YWCA Wheeling, at (304) 232-0511.
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