The 14th Annual Knox County Martin Luther King Jr Celebration Breakfast included an essay contest sponsored by the Knox County Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Committee, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and Kenyon College. The purpose of the essay contest is to encourage middle and high school students to think critically about Dr. King’s legacy of peace and social justice for all. The King Celebration Breakfast was held at Pierce Hall at Kenyon, and the theme was “How is our community fulfilling its dreams to all its citizens?”
MVHS social studies teacher Rob Fetters encouraged his students to submit by answering the contest question “As a student, what can you do, or what have you done to positively promote the ideas and philosophy of Dr. King to bring about change in your life?”
All of this year’s winners were from Mr. Fetters’ 2nd period World History class: Savanah Haist won $50 for 3rd place, Cailyn Kennedy won $75 for 2nd, and Taelyn King won $100 for first place.
Taelyn read her essay out loud to all those in attendance at the King Celebration Breakfast at Kenyon:
“Nobody is born racist. Racism is taught through the actions of others, and letting people get away with it is not acceptable. Unfortunately we live in a racist reality, not a pleasant utopia. Being any race and gender gives you stereotypical titles. Most titles are mediocre and unacceptable, but people use those titles jokingly and do not understand the true meaning of them. I, myself, am ashamed to admit I have used one of these titles while joking with a friend. I did not understand the meaning of it then. I feel Dr. King opened a door of true meaning behind stereotypical titles. I’ve learned to stand up for people who cannot act upon themselves when being bullied, by word or hand. Standing up for any race should not be honorary but a force of habit.”