A local middle school student is the winner of the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest, sponsored by the Elon University Multicultural Affairs Council. Details...
Kelsey Thompson, a seventh-grade student at Burlington Christian Academy, was recognized during Elon’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address program Wednesday, Jan. 11.
The contest, open to middle school students in Alamance County, asks students to write a 250-500 word essay describing their personal efforts to keep King’s dream of equality alilve. Her essay appears below:
Dr. King’s Dream Lives On
By Kelsey Thompson
“Dr. Martin Luther King said in 1963, ‘I have a dream this afternoon that one day, little white children and little Negro children will be able to join hands as brothers and sisters.’ It is amazing how that dream has become a reality. I am keeping this dream because I am able to join hands with my black friend and tell secrets, jokes, and stories like we were like sisters. Back then, I couldn’t do that. Now today I stand tall and proud that Kaylin is my friend. Not only do I join hands with black friends, I join hands with Hispanics by working at my church with the Spanish Ministry and join hands with Asians, like my little sister adopted from China. There is no difference between us except for our skin color, eye shape, or language. We are all equal.
“In the Spanish Ministry, I get to church early to ride the bus that picks up the kids, and I hand them candy as they enter. When we get to church I help them with the message by listening to what they have to say, I help them with questions they may have, or just being there to lend a helping hand. After church, we load the bus and head home. Dr. King wanted to see us all treat each other fairly, and I am glad to help with that.
“My little sister, Gracesyn, who is from China is an amazing gift! I have prayed for a little sibling ever since I was around three. Now that I am twelve, that prayer has been answered and Gracesyn has been freed from the persecution against girls in China. When my parents and I traveled to China, I was also able to help some orphans with them by giving the kids clothing, food, diapers, etc., and help comfort one little boy when he was sad. Dr. King had a dream of people of different races being able to help on another and now we can, just as I help my sister and the orphans.
“Today, I am proud to be friend with blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a big part of letting all these wonderful things happen. My life has changed because I am more open to take a stand, I am free to be friends or even talk to the people of my choice, and I have more love to give to others because of Dr. King’s influence on our society. I challenge you to read his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. You can see the compassion he had and the desire he had to make everyone equal. ‘Free at Last! Free at last! Thank God almight, we are free at last!'”