Woonsocket Radio News Room

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission announces annual essay contest

Dec. 2 deadline for submissions

 

STATE HOUSE – The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission, chaired by Rep. Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence), has announced the annual essay contest for the upcoming holiday event.

“Since this is my first year as the commission’s chairman, and as an educator, I am particularly excited to see what our state’s youth have to say regarding the legacy of Dr. King. I encourage all of our students to participate in this year’s contest.  Dr. King’s teachings are profoundly relevant in today’s polarized society, and this contest is an excellent opportunity for our students to learn from Dr. King’s message on how to make our world a better place,” said Representative Biah.

Four winners will be chosen (two middle school students and two high school students) and prizes of $200 will be awarded to the first place entries and a $100 prize will be awarded to the second place entries.  The contest is open to all middle and high school students in Rhode Island.

·         The high school prompt is: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”  Reflect on how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. connected civil rights leaders and everyday people across identities, workplaces, churches, and communities. Explore how Dr. King’s strategy is used or could be used to address an important civil rights issue today.

·         The middle school prompt is: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was especially inspired by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who joined him at several rallies.  Which musicians or artists do you connect to King's legacy of activism, equality, and peace? Quote some of their lyrics and include them in your essay about Dr. King.

The contest rules are as follows:

·         Entries must be from Rhode Island middle or high school students

·         Essays must be typed in the Microsoft Word format and limited to 500-750 (middle school) or 750-1000 words (high school)

·         Essays must include completed parental permission form (attached) and be submitted individually as the original work of only one student

·         Essays and permission forms MUST be electronically submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·         The commission reserves the right to promote, publish, and/or distribute any or all entries.

The deadline for applicants is Monday, Dec. 2.

The essay contest flyer can be found here.

The essay contest permission form can be found here.

Subzero conditions are bringing the chill to the eastern third of the country this week. Strong gusty winds will lead to dangerous wind chills, prompting extreme cold warnings and watches for the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest. More severe weather will be on the way as a major winter storm is expected to impact a huge area from Texas to the East Coast from Friday through the weekend.        President Trump says the framework of a long-term deal on Greenland is in place. Shortly after announcing the deal framework in a post on Truth Social, Trump told reporters the deal gives the U.S. everything it needs. He went on to call it an "infinite deal" that would last "forever."        ICE's latest operation is underway in Maine this week. According to Fox News, authorities arrested more than 50 people on Tuesday and more arrests were taking place on Wednesday. ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said there are "approximately 14-hundred targets" in Maine, and it comes as part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown against illegal immigrants.        The YouTuber credited by Republicans for uncovering "billions of dollars" in fraud in Minnesota says his peers are done putting up with fraud in the government. Nick Shirley was one of four witnesses to appear before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance. Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz said the firestorm from the fraud investigation was the main reason he's not seeking re-election.        A Navy admiral removed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says she's running for Congress. Three-star admiral Nancy Lacore was the head of the Navy Reserve before Hegseth removed her last August. On Tuesday Lacore registered to run for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District as a Democrat.        Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the U.S. but fewer people are dying from it. That's according to a new report from the American Heart Association. The report shows heart disease death rates have dropped for the first time in five years.       

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