Dr. MLK Jr. Theme Winners
2026 Theme Contest Winners and Participants:
- 1st Place - "Dr. King's Legacy Lives: Changing Lives and Leading Future Generations"
-
Cole Newkirk, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School
-
-
2nd Place - "Living the Dream: Transforming Generations"
-
Owen Champagne, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School
-
-
3rd Place - "The Dream That Made Today a Better Tomorrow"
-
Adeline Reed, 4th Grade, South Effingham Elementary School
-
-
Honorable Mention - 4th Place - "Dr. King's Dream: Release The Past and Reach for Unity"
-
Montgomery-Leigh Ray, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School
-
2026 Dr. MLK Jr. Poster & Essay Contest
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Day Committee would like to invite all students to participate in the 43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Day Poster and Essay Contests. Students in grades 1 - 5 are invited to enter the poster contest, while students in grades 6 - 12 are invited to enter the essay contest.
This year's chosen theme is "Dr. King's Legacy Lives: Changing Lives and Leading Future Generations."
2026 Writing Prompt:
- Writing Situation: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and his dream of
a world built on justice, equality, and peace. His work continues to inspire and challenge people today,
showing that one person’s actions can lead to lasting change. - Directions for Writing: Write a persuasive essay explaining why Dr. King’s legacy remains significant in today’s world. Support
your viewpoint with examples from Dr. King’s life as well as from current movements or actions that reflect
his values. Include three specific reasons and make sure you offer supporting details, evidence, facts, anecdotes (brief
stories), etc., for your reasons, and relate your reasons to the ideals and philosophies of Dr. King.
The deadline for the poster and essay contests is Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
All entries may be submitted to your school, sent via interoffice mail to Dr. Sandra Nethels, or mailed to Dr. MLK, Jr. Education Committee, P.O. Box 26, Guyton, GA 31312. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. If additional information is needed, please call Mrs. Nellar Lonon at (912) 661–0107 or Ms. Rosetta Gordon at (912) 772-3061.
Awards will be presented to all contest winners during the Noonday (noon) program on Monday, January 19, 2026. Winners are encouraged to attend this service and participate in the parade.
For more information, refer to the invitation and procedures below:
Go back to View All News