MLK Essay Contest Guidelines

Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest 2015
Only Light, Only Love
―Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year each student is asked to write an essay which illustrates a person in his / her life who
actually emulates Dr. King’s thoughts about love, service, unity, concerns for humanity, and
nonviolent social change.
Categories and Divisions
Grades 2 – 3
Grades 4 – 5
Grades 6 – 8
Grades 9 – 12
Division A – Essay
Division B – Essay
Division C – Essay
Division D – Essay
Awards for Each Division
Student(s)
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Teacher(s)
$200.00 and a medal
$100.00 and a medal
$ 50.00 and a medal
$75.00
$50.00
$25.00
Contest Rules
1. Entries must show how the person featured in the essay exemplifies the concept of love,
service, unity, concerns for humanity, and nonviolent social change.
2. Essays must adhere to the following length guidelines:
 Grades 2 – 3
Division A – Essay
 Grades 4 – 5
Division B – Essay
 Grades 6 – 8
Division C – Essay
 Grades 9 – 12
Division D – Essay
One typed page, double-spaced
Two typed pages, double-spaced
Three typed pages, double-spaced
Five typed pages, double-spaced
3. Entries will be judged based on the following:
 Content (topic is relevant to King’s traits of love, service, unity, concerns for
humanity, or nonviolent social change)
 Development of Theme (use of critical thinking, writing skills)
 Grammar/Mechanics (capitalization, spelling, and punctuation)
 Creativity/Style/Voice (original ideas, well-chosen vocabulary)
 Presentation (length of essay, legibility/neatness)
(NOTE: While teachers and parents may assist with grammar/mechanics, entries should
represent the creative work of the student.)
1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest 2015
Only Light, Only Love
―Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
4. Essay pages cannot be copied front and back.
5. All essay pages must be numbered if there is more than one page.
6. Each school may submit one entry in each category. Ties will not be accepted.
7. School entries must include the following:
 Fully completed cover sheet
 The original—handwritten or typed—with student’s name and school. (Be sure to
keep a copy in your school’s files.)
 Two copies of each essay: One (1) original copy and one (1) copy of the original
WITHOUT the student’s name or school name. (Be sure to keep a copy for your
school’s files.)
Deadline
The deadline for submitting all entries is on Thursday, February 5, 2015 by 4:00 p.m. Please
submit the entries to the Office of Advanced Academic Programs, located at 630 South State
Street, Jackson, MS 39201.
Contact Information
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Vicki Davidson by email at
[email protected] or Mahala Lowe by email at [email protected].
Recognition and Awards Reception
The recognition and awards reception is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2015
at 6:30 p.m. at Cardozo Middle School.
2
Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest 2015
Only Light, Only Love
―Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Student Registration Form – Essay
(Please print or type this information and submit by Thursday, February 5, 2015. This form
serves as the cover page of the student’s essay entry.)
Student’s Name
Grade
Home Address
City, State, and Zip
Parent / Guardian’s Name
Phone
Name of Supervising Teacher
Supervising Teacher’s E-mail
Name of Person Honored in Essay
Title of Entry
Category
Division
School
Parent / Guardian Acknowledgment
By signing below, I grant permission to the Jackson Public School District to publish and / or
exhibit the essay written by my child.
Parent’s Signature
Date
(For Office Use Only)
Received By
Date and Time Stamped
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest 2015
Only Light, Only Love
―Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Photograph / Video Permission Form
(Please print or type this information and submit by Thursday, February 5, 2015.)
Student’s Name:
(Please Print)
Parent / Guardian’s Name:
(Please Print)
School:
Check all that apply and return this form with the entry.
_____ Permission is given for the above named individual(s) participating in the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. contest to be photographed and / or videotaped.
_____ Permission is not given for the above named individual(s) participating in the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. contest to be photographed and / or videotaped.
________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature
__________________
Date
________________________________________________
School Coordinator’s Signature
__________________
Date
________________________________________________
School Principal’s Signature
__________________
Date
Note: The student’s entry will be disqualified if all signatures are not received.
4
Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest 2015
Only Light, Only Love
―Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Judge’s Rubric - Essay
Entry Number______________
Categories and Divisions
(Please indicate by placing an X on the line below.)
_____Grades 2 – 3
Division A – Essay
_____Grades 4 – 5
Division B – Essay
_____Grades 6 – 8
Division C – Essay
_____Grades 9 – 12
Division D – Essay
Scoring Category
Content - to what extent does the essay show
how the honoree clearly emulates King’s traits of
love, service, unity, concerns for humanity, and
nonviolent social change?
Scoring Scale
Lowest
1
2
Development of Theme – does the delivery of
ideas demonstrate grade-level critical thinking
and writing skills to reinforce the central idea?
Lowest
Grammar / Mechanics – does the essay show
standard English use of capitalization, subject /
verb agreement, spelling, punctuation, etc.?
Lowest
Creativity / Style / Voice – how well does the
essay demonstrate uniqueness, student voice,
originality, and well-chosen vocabulary?
Lowest
1
1
1
Presentation – is the essay legible? Is it neatly
written in the student’s handwriting, as well as
typed? Is the length of the essay within the
required number of pages?
2
2
2
Highest
3
3
Judge’s Signature / Comment(s)
5
2
4
4
4
4
_____ out of 5
5
Highest
3
_____ out of 5
5
Highest
3
_____ out of 5
5
Highest
3
_____ out of 5
5
Highest
Lowest
1
4
Points
_____ out of 5
5
Total Points

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