Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Poster & Essay Contest

The Brookings Human Rights Commission is sponsoring its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day contest for Brookings Middle and High School students with the additional topic of Black History Month. This contest is designed for students to reflect on Dr. King’s ideas and their effect on our community through their contest entry. However, any student may write on any aspect of Black History should they choose, designed so students can better envelop themselves into the greater history of America. 

• Middle School and High School students can compete in this year’s essay contest. 
• The theme is "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” 
  
  

Winners will be presented with cash prizes by the Brookings City Council on March 9th, 2021. All entries will be displayed on the City’s website with the winning poster entries will also be displayed on the City’s Government Channel (Swiftel and Mediacom Channel 9).

All contest entries are due February 26, 2021.

Essay Contest Information (PDF)

Entry Form (PDF)

Award Winners

2021

Essay - Middle School 

• 1st Place: Kendis Sackreiter (PDF)
• 2nd Place: Shae Lefers (PDF)
• 3rd Place: Alex Kidangathazhe Deepti (PDF)

Essay - High School

• 1st Place: Zoey Henderson (PDF)

Watch Awards Presentation 2021

2020

2020 Winners Press Release (PDF)

Poster - Grade 4

• 1st Place: Tyler Davis - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
• 2nd Place: Dante Martinson - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
• 3rd Place: Shawna Nupen - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
• Honorable Mention: Allyson Couser - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)

Poster - Grade 5  

• 1st Place: Tavyn Jae Everding - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
• 2nd Place: Autumn Brink - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
• 3rd Place: Honor Naughton - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)
• Honorable Mention: Alexis (Lexi) Erp - Camelot Intermediate School (Image)

Essay - Middle School 

• 1st Place: Anika Hooda -  6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
• 2nd Place: Shae Lefers -  6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)
• 3rd Place: Taya Haselhorst -  6th grade, Mickelson Middle School (PDF)

Essay - High School

• 1st Place: Grace Enz -  10th grade, Brookings High School (PDF)
• 2nd Place: Cherish Stern -  11th grade, Brookings High School (PDF)
• 3rd Place: Victoria Diersen -  12th grade, Brookings High School (PDF)