Dear Teacher/Counselor:

On behalf of McDaniel College, Carroll County Public Schools’ Department of Minority Achievement and Intervention Programs, the Carroll County Chapter of the NAACP and the MLK Celebration Committee, the Office of Multicultural Services invites you to our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, February 4, 2008 at 6:30 pm in the Alumni Hall at McDaniel College. With the hope of encouraging community involvement, education and outreach, we are sponsoring a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest for area students.  The essay contest is for elementary, middle and high school students, grades 4-12.

This year’s essay questions are:

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High School (500 words)
After Reading two of the four speeches listed below:

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence
Address Delivered in Acceptance of Nobel Peace Prize 
Where Do We Go From Here?
Letter From the Birmingham Jail

How do you think Dr. King would respond to local, national and global issues such as youth violence, the Jenna 6, and the conflict in the Middle East(or other local, national and global issues)? What do you think Dr. King would expect from youth of the 21st century?

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Middle School (500 words)
Write a letter or speech as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did voicing your opinion and outlining action steps to respond to local, national and global issues such as youth violence, the Jenna 6, and the conflict in the Middle East. The following letter or speeches can be used as a guide:

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence
Address Delivered in Acceptance of Nobel Peace Prize 
Where Do We Go From Here?
Letter From the Birmingham Jail

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Elementary School (250 words)
Dr. King practiced non-violence in an effort to create a beloved community. What steps would you take to create peace in your school, community and beyond?

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The essay should be no longer than 250 words for elementary students and 500 words middle and high school students. Essays will be judged on the following: ideas, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, conventions, organization and relevance to the essay question. The essay must be the original work of the student.  Each entry must include the student’s name, phone number, school, grade and teacher’s name/contact number.  Winners will be recognized at the formal program on Monday, February 4, 2008, as well invited to a special reception prior to the program.  Attached is a flyer advertising the essay contest, so that you may post the details within your classroom or office.

All entries are due on Friday, January 18, 2008.  Please send all entries to:

• Office of Multicultural Services
  McDaniel College
  2 College Hill
  Westminster, MD 21157-4390

Essays may also be hand delivered to our office (Lower level of Rouzer Hall: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am-4:30 pm). All winners will be notified by Monday, January 28, 2008.

We are asking for your cooperation and support in making this community-wide essay contest a success. We look forward to your participation and involvement. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact OMS at (410) 857 –2791 or Zephia Bryant, Director via email at zbryant@mcdaniel.edu .

Sincerely,

2008 MLK Community Outreach Committee