The three winners from local middle schools were celebrated at a lunch event at Elon on Friday, Jan. 18.
Elon University on Friday celebrated the work of three local middle school students who were honored this year as winners of the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest.
This year's theme — "Hammer on Civil Rights" — gave participants the opportunity to articulate how involvement in their schools and communities supports King's legacy of peace, equity and social justice. They were offered a "magic hammer," and asked to write about how they would use it to build a more inclusive nation. The contest was open to all middle school students enrolled in area private, public or charter schools.
This year's winners are:
Keesha Go
Ferndale Middle School, Sixth Grade
Keesha's interests beyond school include reading the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series, playing the ukelele and writing short stories.
Her essay focused on the issue of equality and the rights that people have to equal access to education and opportunity. "Education is another important asset for people to have, and although all Americans have the right to a basic education this doesn't mean everyone has the same quality of education because some people cannot afford a decent education," Keesha wrote. "Using the hammer, I want to focus on giving people equal treatment despite their race or ethnicity, gender, religions or other differences."
Kierra Ballard
Allen Middle School, Seventh Grade
Kierra wants to become a psychologist, a profession that would build upon her passion to help other people. Her hobbies include reading, writing, listening and giving advice to others for how they might address their problems. She's active in her local church, where she serves on the dance and mime team.
Her essay underscores the need to bring light to the world, to drive out violence and to have faith in our country and its people. "We need to stop having rage toward ourselves and one another," Kierra wrote. "We need to come together as one and we need to stick up for each other."
Keegan Burns
Ferndale International Baccalaureate Middle School, Eighth Grade
Keegan, who serves as a peer mediator and president of Technology Student Association at her school, enjoys math and is an avid reader. She's a competitive artistic roller skater, is actively involved in 4H and volunteers at Juliet's House, a local feline rescue group.
In her essay, Keegan focused on erasing the stigma and stereotypes that people with mental disabilities and illnesses face. "I believe that all people deserve to be seen as an equal to those looking upon them, without being seen as 'weird,' 'stupid' or 'different,'" Keegan wrote. "I hope that everyone would feel happy and loved in this world."