Polk County, Florida — Polk County Public Schools (PCPS), in partnership with Polk’s Community Relations Advisory Council, has announced the winners of the 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge.
The contest is open each year to students in grades K-12. This year’s theme was “Mission Possible: Standing Up for Freedom, Justice and Democracy — Peacefully and Powerfully.”
In addition to receiving cash prizes, winning students read their essays during an awards ceremony dinner held last Thursday at the Bartow Civic Center.
The winners are as follows:
Elementary School, Grades K-2
- First place: Eiden Lopez, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
- Second place: Laya Kumar, Winston Academy of Engineering
- Third place: Riley Siedlecki, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
Elementary School, Grades 3-5
- First place: Mithun Krishnan, Lincoln Avenue Academy
- Second place: Gia Sanchez, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
- Third place: Storm Bryant, Winston Academy of Engineering
Middle School
- First place: Adalynn Conrad, Davenport School of the Arts
- Second place: Catherine Leyte-Vidal, Davenport School of the Arts
- Third place: Hailey Goodwin, Jewett Middle Academy
High School
- First place: Aaliyah Martin, Harrison School for the Arts
- Second place: Zanterrian Love Jr., Bartow High
- Third place: Nadlie Ferdinand, Haines City High
Eye in the Sky News congratulates all participants in Polk County’s 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge. Well done, young leaders!
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
