The ceremony will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Old Central. Presentations by essay winners will begin at 3:30 p.m. All participants in the contest will be recognized. Clary’s Restaurant will provide refreshments. Enis E. Williams, Jr., Old Central Board President, will present the program introductions. Mayor Lyda Anne Thomas will offer a proclamation. GHF’s Executive Director Dwayne Jones, GHF’s Board President, David Bowers, and GISD superintendent Lynn Cleveland will present the awards to the essay contest winners.

Each student this year is to write an essay entitled “What Can I Do to Keep Dr. Martin Luther King’s Dream Alive?” telling in at least 350 words how they personally can continue the work Dr. King’s began in world today. Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

Students in grades nine through twelve are invited to participate in the essay contest. The deadline for essay submission is January 11, 2010, 3 p.m. Students may submit their essays by email to Galveston Historical Foundation at education@galvestonhistory.org. Ball High School’s speech and debate coach Michael Merritte or O’Connell High School’s English teacher Chris Badger will also accept essay contest entries and offer guidance and information to students interested in submitting an entry. Complete contest rules are available online at www.galvestonhistory.org.

When the Galveston MLK essay contest was first conceived nine years ago, the students’ assignment was to write a letter to Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow. For the five years previous to her death, the students wrote these letters and the committee organizers mailed them to Mrs. King. She died of complications from a stroke and cancer on January 30, 2006, at the age of 78, after decades of carrying on her husband’s legacy.

The year before her death, she sent this response to organizers Maggie and Ennis Williams: “Please tell your students to continue to read and study about my husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his life, and read books that he wrote. I hope they will grow to be like him and someday help those who need help. He gave his life loving and serving others.”

First-place winner receives $300. Second place receives $200. Third place receives $100. For more information call Maggie Williams at 409-771-5909 or 409-392-1426; Tommie Boudreaux at 409-740-0454; or Denise Alexander at 409-570-9108.

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2010 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Essay Contest Rules

$300: 1^st Place    $200: 2^nd Place   $100: 3^rd Place

The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay Contest sponsored by Old Central Cultural Center, Inc and Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee and Education Committee will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010. Essays are to be written on the title: “What Can I Do to Keep Dr. Martin Luther King’s Dream Alive?” Participants must follow the rules listed below:

1. The essay must contain at least 350 words.

2. The essay must be original.

3. The essay must be typed and double spaced.

4. The essay must have a cover sheet with your name, grade and telephone number included.

5. All essays are due by Monday, January 11, 2010 at 3 p.m.

6. Winners will read their essays at the Awards Ceremony.

7. All participants will receive certificates and must be present to receive monetary awards.

Essays will be judged on the following criteria: Originality: 25%; Clarity: 25%; Spelling: 25%; Grammar: 25%.

Award Ceremony and Reception by Clary’s

Date: Sunday, January 17, 2010

Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Place:

           Old Central Community Center

           2627 Avenue M

           Galveston, Texas 77550

Contact: Maggie Williams 409.771.5909 or 409.392.1426

Tommie Boudreaux 409.740.0454    

Denise Alexander 409-570-9108