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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Poster & Essay Contest
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Brookings Human Rights Commission sponsors an annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest for all Brookings County school students in Grades 4-12.
Dr. King was a supporter of human rights and freedoms for all citizens. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated on January 15, 2024.
These contests are designed for students to reflect on Dr. King’s ideas and the impact on our community through their contest entry.
DEADLINE: All contest entries are due before 5 PM on Friday, December 22, 2023.
- Essays, along with entry information, must be emailed to humanrights@cityofbrookings.org.
PROMPTS: The 2024 contest prompts are:
- Intermediate School (Grades 4-5): Identify two problems in your school, neighborhood, or community and what you would do to solve these problems. Include a quote from Dr. King and explain how it inspires your solution. [250-500 words; 1-2 pages double-spaced]
- Middle School (Grades 6-8): Building off a quote from Dr. King, describe how you can help create a more just, inclusive, and peaceful society. How can you work with your peers to make a difference? Identify your own aspirations for your community and what Dr. King means to you. [500-750 words; 2-3 pages double-spaced]
- High School (Grades 9-12): Incorporating a quote from Dr. King, explore how the principles of justice and oneness can be used to transform our divided world into a united one. Discuss how Dr. King's ideals, philosophy, and principles apply to our collective lives and impact your daily life. What solutions would you offer to promote peace and equity in your community? What would be the roles of young people and adults in implementing your solutions? [750-1,000 words; 3-4 pages double-spaced]
Winners will be notified by January 8, 2024.
- First- and second-place winners will be invited to read their essays at the MLK "Marade" at South Dakota State University on January 15, 2024.
- Awards will be presented at the Brookings City Council meeting on January 23, 2024. Awardees will be asked to read their essays at the meeting.
Essay Contest Information (PDF)
Award Winners
2022
2022 Winners Press Release (PDF)
Poster - Grades K-1
- 1st Place: Norah Miller - Medary Elementary - Kindergarten (Image)
- 2nd Place: Shiloh Butzin - Dakota Prairie Elementary - 1st Grade (Image)
- 3rd Place: Ana Kramer - Dakota Prairie Elementary - 1st Grade (Image)
- Honorable Mention: Samara Sloss - Dakota Prairie Elementary - 1st Grade (Image)
Poster - Grade 2
- 1st Place: Madilynn Doty - Medary Elementary (Image)
- 2nd Place: Tanner Frank - Medary Elementary (Image)
- 3rd Place: Naomi Nyongbela - Medary Elementary (Image)
- Honorable Mention: Elise Ulvestad - Medary Elementary (Image)
Poster - Advance
- 1st Place: Doug Hakeman (Image)
- 2nd Place: Matthew Lindberg (Image)
- 3rd Place: Shelly Egeberg (Image)
- Honorable Mention: Drew Maag (Image)
Essay - Middle School
- 1st Place: Isabella Park - 8th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
- 2nd Place: Shae Lefers - 8th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
- 3rd Place: Madeline Enderson - 6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
- Honorable Mention: Samuel Caugherty - 8th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
Watch Awards Presentation 2022
2021
2021 Winners Press Release (PDF)
Essay - Middle School
- 1st Place: Kendis Sackreiter (PDF)
- 2nd Place: Shae Lefers (PDF)
- 3rd Place: Alex Kidangathazhe Deepti (PDF)
Essay - High School
Watch Awards Presentation 2021
2020
2020 Winners Press Release (PDF)
Poster - Grade 4
- 1st Place: Tyler Davis - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
- 2nd Place: Dante Martinson - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
- 3rd Place: Shawna Nupen - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
- Honorable Mention: Allyson Couser - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
Poster - Grade 5
- 1st Place: Tavyn Jae Everding - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
- 2nd Place: Autumn Brink - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
- 3rd Place: Honor Naughton - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
- Honorable Mention: Alexis (Lexi) Erp - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
Essay - Middle School
- 1st Place: Anika Hooda - 6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
- 2nd Place: Shae Lefers - 6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
- 3rd Place: Taya Haselhorst - 6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
Essay - High School
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Human Rights Commission
Physical Address
520 3rd Street
Suite 230
Brookings, SD 57006
Mailing Address
PO Box 270
Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: (605) 692-6281Fax: (605) 692-6907