Pasadena MLK Community Coalition

Keeping the Legacy of Martin Luther King Alive!

Pasadena MLK Community Coalition - Keeping the Legacy of Martin Luther King Alive!

Monthly Archives: September 2010

Essay Contest Rules

In January, the nation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The Martin Luther King Community Coalition (“King Coalition”), Altadena and Pasadena NAACP, Pasadena Unified School District, Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Congregations, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Gamma Lambda Chapter, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and Aspires West in conjunction with the City of Pasadena will host a celebration at Jackie Robinson Park (1081 N Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena 91103).

The King Coalition is a group of community members working to make Dr. King’s dreams become a reality through spiritual renewal, economic strategies, educational opportunities, health and social initiatives. Part of the celebration will be the culmination of the annual essay contest. Awards will only be presented to winners who are present at the MLK program in January. ALL students will receive a Certificate honoring their participation.

Eligibility

Any student in grades 4-12 is eligible. Individuals will compete within the following designated categories: elementary, intermediate (junior high school) or high school.

***For the 2011-2012 MLK Essay Contest theme, click here.

Guidelines

Essays will be judged according to the following three categories:

Elementary (Grades 4 and 5)

  • 150 words minimum
  • 350 words maximum

Intermediate (Grades 6, 7 and 8 )

  • 350 words minimum
  • 650 words maximum

High School (Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12)

  • 450 words minimum
  • 800 words maximum

Submissions must be sent or delivered to the following department:
Dr. David L. Jacobs
Scott United Methodist Church
Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest
444 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena 91103-3541.
(For more information call Dr. David L. Jacobs at 626.794.9031)

All essays must have a cover-page attached with the following information:


Student’s name (first and last names)
Student’s address
Contact phone number
Student’s age (clearly distinguished from grade)
Student’s grade (clearly distinguished from age)
Teacher’s name (first and last names)
School name


.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS:
All entries must be either
Postmarked by October 5 2012, or
Received in-person by 6 pm October 5 2012.

.

Awards

Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the three categories. Additional awards will be given to the 1st place teacher and school of the winner for each category.
.

Judging Criteria

  1. Development of theme (40 pts) — The content of the essay should demonstrate an understanding of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and his philosophy. The essay should include suggestions and ideas from the student discussing practical ways to apply Dr. King’s ideas to the contest essay prompt.
  2. Organization (30 pts) — The essay should exhibit clarity of thought, strong vocabulary, grammar, spelling and punctuation skills. A neat appearance is also important (ie., typed or neat handwriting).
  3. Creativity (30 pts) — The essay should express originality of though and the student’s genuine, unique perspective on the issues related to the essay theme.

Art and Essay Contest Theme

The theme for the 2011-2012 academic year is the following:


“Considering life in America today, how have Dr. King’s dreams significantly impacted where we are and how will they help shape our future?”

Please review the eligibility requirements, and rules and… do your best!

Art Contest Rules

In January, the nation annually celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The Martin Luther King Community Coalition (“King Coalition”), Altadena and Pasadena NAACP, Pasadena Unified School District, Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Congregations, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Gamma Lambda Chapter, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and Aspires West in conjunction with the City of Pasadena will host a celebration at Jackie Robinson Park (1081 N Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena 91103).

The King Coalition is a group of community members working to make Dr. King’s dreams become a reality through spiritual renewal, economic strategies, educational opportunities, health and social initiatives. Part of the celebration will be the culmination of the annual essay contest. Awards will only be presented to winners who are present at the MLK program in January. ALL students will receive a certificate honoring their participation.
.

Eligibility

Any student in grades 4-12 is eligible. Individuals will compete within the following designated categories: elementary, intermediate (junior high school) or high school.

***For the MLK Art Contest prompt, refer to the information on the Essay & Art Contest Info page.

.

Guidelines

All artwork must be on an 18″ x 12″ sheet of paper or other lightweight substrate such as bristol board, construction paper, and so on. The artwork may be mixed media which includes, but is not limited to watercolor, pen and ink, charcoal, crayon, acrylic or collage.
.
Submissions must be sent or delivered to the following department:
Marshall Ayers/ Carol Dickinson
Pasadena Unified School District
351 S. Hudson Ave, Room 219
Pasadena 91101-3507.
(For more information call Carol Dickinson at 626.794.9031)
.

      All entries must have a 3″ x 5″ label secured to the lower right side on the back side of the artwork (where it will not destroy or obstruct the artwork). The following information must be included on the label:


      Student’s Name (first name, last name)
      Address
      Phone number
      Age and grade level (clearly distinguish each)
      Teacher’s name (first, last)
      School

    .
    DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: No later than Friday October 5, 2012
    Winners will be notified by December 6, 2012
    .

    Awards

    Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the three categories. Additional awards will be given to the 1st place teacher and school of the winner for each category.
    .

    Judging Criteria

    All artwork will be judged on the use of media, technique and how the student makes use of his or her creativity in interpreting the contest’s theme.