Congratulations to the winners of Polk County’s 22nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge!
The contest is open each year to students in grades K-12. In addition to a cash prize, winning students read their essays during the awards ceremony dinner, which was held Thursday at the W.H. Stuart Center in Bartow.
The Essay Challenge is held in partnership between PCPS and Polk’s Community Relations Advisory Council. This year’s theme was “It Starts With Me: Shifting My Priorities to Create the Beloved Community.”
Without further ado, the winners are:
*Elementary school, grades K-2
– First place: Nevaeh Bates, Lake Alfred Elementary
– Second place: Camila Valenzuela, Winston Academy of Engineering
– Third place: Criickette Melan, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
K-2 winners
*Elementary school, grades 3-5
– First place: Kaylin Woerdehoff, McKeel Academy Central
– Second place: Gabriella Monacelli, Lincoln Avenue Academy
– Third place: Athens Sapp, Bartow Elementary Academy
Grades 3-5 winners
*Middle school
– First place: Wesmalye Paniagua, Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
– Second place: A’Milyah Phillips, Union Academy
– Third place: Danye Bryant, Daniel Jenkins Academy
Middle school winners
*High school
– First place: Katelyn Stafford, George Jenkins High
– Second place: Brooklynn Conatser, George Jenkins High
– Third place: Jeremy Davis, George Jenkins High
High school winners
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