Recently, sophomores Jeffery Allison and Zane Kelley along with freshman Danielle Eckert, prepared essays for the annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Contest.

The actual contest took place November 17 where Allison and Kelley tied for first place with Eckert placing in second. The contest was held at the Second Baptist Church in Rochester where the participants spoke about their essays.

“I will do the Dr. King Oratorical Contest every year,” stated Allison.

The prompts that Kelley and Allison addressed were different from Eckert’s prompt. Sophomores responded to the question: How would you respond to present-day situations to mirror King’s approach?

Eckert had to respond to the question: What characteristics and leadership skills were shown by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that launched his career as a Civil Rights leader following his role in the church and his participation in the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Allison also explained that the first place and second place winners get to participate in a banquet. Not only that, but if students keep participating in the Dr. King Oratorical Contest, there is a chance for a scholarship your senior year.

“I plan to continue doing the Dr. King Oratorical Contest because it would mean a lot to me to get a scholarship my senior year,” explained Allison.

Mrs. Hill, a middle school English teacher, coordinated the contest for Beaver Area students. Plus, Mrs. Stedford, a fifth grade science teacher at Dutch Ridge, was one of this year’s judges at this contest.

Many students wrote essays, but only three from Beaver Area were selected. We can only hope that these students continue to write essays for the Dr. King Oratorical Contest—and continue to promote Dr. King’s good works.