1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Poster and Essay
Contest Guidelines and Rules
Theme: “Sustaining King’s Dream: Raising Consciousness, Enacting Change,
Building Community”
Allegheny College is planning the 1st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) poster and essay
competition as part of our campus-community celebration on January 16 and 17, 2012. As part
of this event our office, the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) will
coordinate a poster and essay contest for local schools. Students in grades K-12 attending
Meadville public and private schools are encouraged to submit entries by December 16.
The poster competition celebrates our commitment to the arts as a liberal arts college. Where
students truly can express and develop their talents through creative modes of expression. The
essay competition is a complement to Allegheny’s emphasis on careful listening and reading,
thoughtful speaking and writing, and reflective academic planning and self-exploration. These
are core academic skills that all our students hone throughout their time as an undergraduate
at the College.
GUIDELINES FOR EDUCATORS/PARENTS:
The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to think critically about Dr. King’s legacy
and develop goals that reflect how they will raise consciousness, enact change, and build their
communities. Dr. King delivered a speech in which he expressed the theme a “Beloved
Community.” The Beloved Community is the framework for the future. The nonviolent concept
is an overall effort to achieve a reconciled world by raising the level of relationships among
people to a height where justice prevails and persons attain their full human potential.
Using Dr. King’s approach about the Beloved Community, students should share how they have
or would like to sustain Dr. King’s dream by raising consciousness, enacting change, and
building community in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Examples can range from helping: family,
friends, animals and/or others with important issues and/or challenges.
RULES:
An entry form must be completed and attached to the submission.
A. POSTER SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS (Grades K-8 only):
1. Attach a type-written statement to the back of the poster describing the meaning of
the art. The length of the statement will vary by grade level according to the
following:
at least three complete sentences
• K - 1st
• 2nd - 3rd:
at least five complete sentences
• 4th - 5th:
at least eight complete sentences
• 6th - 8th:
at least two paragraphs, but no more than one page
2. Poster and statement must reference theme, “Sustaining King’s Dream: Raising
Consciousness, Enacting Change, Building Community.”
3. Use pencils, crayons, paints, markers or colored pencils.
a. NO PRE-FABRICATED IMAGES (such as magazine cut-outs or clip art).
b. Original art only.
4. Posters should not be larger than 12” x 18”.
5. Originality, creativity, relevance to theme, and personal perspectives are the criteria
used for judging.
B. ESSAY SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS (Grades 6-12 only):
1. Essays submission is open to the following:
a. 6th – 8th
b. 9th – 12th
2. The essay MUST be typed and double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font, pages
numbered.
3. Essays should be no longer than four pages, should include a bibliography on a
separate page for materials used in support of the essay.
4. The essay must reference the theme, “Sustaining King’s Dream: Raising
Consciousness, Enacting Change, Building Community.”
5. Originality, creativity, relevance to theme, and personal perspective, are the criteria
used for judging.
DEADLINE:
The poster and essay submission deadline is Friday, December 16, 2011 by 2:00 PM. Schools
that want their entries to be deliver entries to the Office of IDEA should make arrangements by
December 12 via email [email protected] or by phone at (814) 332-2777. No late entries
will be accepted. If you are submitting your school/class entries please mail them to:
Allegheny College
Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)
520 N. Main Street, Box Z
Meadville, PA 16335
PRIZES:
Three winners will be determined for each category and will receive the following:
•
•
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First Prize: $150
Second Prize: $100
Third Prize: $50
Notification of Winners: Winners will be notified by letter and invited to the MLK Celebration
Program luncheon on Monday, January 16, 2012, where they will be recognized. The
celebration will be held on the Allegheny College campus. Poster winners will have their work
displayed at Allegheny College and essay winners will read their essays during an invitation-only
luncheon sponsored by the Office of IDEA.
Parent/Guardian Image Consent
Please print below and sign in the appropriate space at the bottom
I, ________________________________, parent/guardian of ___________________________,
give Allegheny College permission to take my child’s picture for the 1st Annual Martin Luther
King, Jr. Poster and Essay Contest.
I understand that my child’s picture may appear in Allegheny College related publications. In
addition, I understand that my child’s poster or essay may appear in College related
publications.
___________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
_____________________________
Date
Complete this form, sign and return with your child’s poster and or essay
submission by December 16, 2011.