Inspirational Messages of Peace Contest
2016
Guidelines & Special Notes for Participating Schools
1. Students from Kindergarten - 11th grade may participate in the contest by writing a short, poetic
thought of 35 words or less about peace, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King or the
special meaning of the World Peace Rose Garden. Poems over the word limit will not be eligible
for judging. Words with one or two letters will not be considered when counting the number of
words.
2. Each poem must be TYPED and have a TITLE, the STUDENT’S NAME, GRADE and
SCHOOL. Poems need to be submitted in English.
3. Designated judges from Georgia Cyber Academy are asked to pick the Top 8 messages and
submit them to them via email.
4. Judges from International World Peace Rose Gardens and the Martin Luther King, Jr National
Historic Site will pick the top winner(s) from the 8 finalists. The winner(s) will be announced
April 15, 2016.
5. The winning message(s) will be engraved on a plaque and placed in the World Peace Rose
Garden at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. for one
year from the unveiling ceremony (May 12, 2016).
6. The Winning Student(s) are invited to attend the celebration at the Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Historic Site in Atlanta on May 12, 2016, 12:30 p.m. They will be asked to read their
messages and unveil their plaques during the ceremony. Principals, teachers, family members of
winning students and fellow Top 8 finalists are encouraged to support them by also attending
the event.
7. The Top 8 Finalists will be awarded t-shirts and certificates and each participating Classroom
will receive a certificate. Representatives from the judging team will visit Atlanta classrooms
prior to the Anniversary Celebration date to personally present the awards to winning students.
We will coordinate this with each school. Winners outside of the Atlanta area will receive their
t-shirts and certificates after the ceremony date, if they are unable to attend ceremony.
WINNING MESSAGES DUE BY:
February 28, 2016
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: APRIL 15, 2016
Please enter by using this link to submit your poem: http://goo.gl/forms/5xioRoH2Kk
2015 Inspirational Messages of Peace Contest Winners
Sponsored by the National Park Service, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
and International World Peace Rose Gardens
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PEACE FOR THE WORLD
THE MEANING OF PEACE
Martin wanted peace for the world
He wanted equality and respect
For every boy and girl
A world where everyone
Can be treated the same
Was the reason for his hard work and pain
Peace is knowing when to calm down
Peace is having a smile and not a frown
Peace is having freedom without a fight
Peace is having an equal right
Most of all peace is love
Chloe King, Grade 2
Anne Street Elementary School
Griffin, Georgia, USA
BreAnna Smith, Grade 6
Coretta Scott King Young
Women’s Leadership Academy
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
WHAT PEACE IS ABOUT
Peace is to be kind.
Peace is to think of others.
Peace only happens if we all do it.
Peace is when you say kind words
And have a kind heart.
MARTIN LUTHER KING
Martin Luther King fought for me too.
He did it for us; he did it for you.
He did it for equal rights;
He did what he was supposed to do.
He had a dream that people everywhere
Would learn to live together
Without being mean to one another.
Shu-Wen Wen, Grade 1
Atlanta International School
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Lyric Taylor & Za’Nya Frye, Grade 3
E. L. Connally Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
REACHING VICTORY
THE BRILLIANCE OF A ROSE
Peace is unity.
When the whole world comes together
Like brothers and sisters,
We will know there will be peace.
When we come together like one family,
The world will know we’ve reached victory.
Victoria Erdman, Grade 5
Atlanta International School
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The brilliance of a rose impacted humankind,
While the beauty of gentleness stood closely behind.
The bond that was formed between two of a kind,
Encouraged thousands to weave a path to gently remind,
That love, peace and non-violence are color blind.
Damacia N. Howard, Grade 6
Georgia Cyber Academy
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
We Choose Our Future
All around you hear that sound,
Of people fighting and hurting.
People must learn to get along,
And not blame others for being wrong.
We just need to open our hearts,
That’s where the peace clearly starts.
It's not that difficult to embrace and find,
With caring heart and open mind!
Laura Keve, Grade 9
Georgia Cyber Academy
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
WALK THE PATH OF PEACE
Peace begins from within,
In our hearts and minds.
Peaceful bonds of love,
Amongst family and friends,
Between countries and continents,
And the entire world,
With no barriers,
And goodwill everywhere.
Wasn’t this the vision
Of the King?
THROUGH HIS EYES
Through his eyes I can see
A world of peace and harmony
Through his eyes I believe
That everyone was created equally
Through his eyes I am free
Free to be uniquely me
Guadalupe Suastegui, Grade 4
Hope-Hill Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia USA
BEING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
He was a hero, a leader, and a speaker
A man of great courage and wisdom
He gave trust, leadership, and respect
He fought with his words
And not his fists
Tyshay Smith, Grade 4
Hope-Hill Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia USA
Of the King!
Gulshan Jahan, Grade X
Him Jyoti School
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
MY HERO - MARTIN
A DREAMER’S DREAM
Let us all together live in peace,
And not in pieces.
So that there is no grief
But only relief.
No scope for mistrust,
But only trust.
With no hunger and greed,
Only love and care.
Live as one,
And return to the earth its soul.
Sakshi Gupta, Grade IX
Him Jyoti School
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
One day,
We saw the light of peace;
One day,
We got the right of equality;
One day,
We broke the boundary of color;
That day,
He said: “I have a dream.”
He is Martin.
Yuanyuan Ji, Grade 10
Jigang Senior High School
Jinan, Shandong, China
DREAM IN THE SKY
LOVE AND PEACE
What deters our fear
While fighting discrimination?
What wipes our tears while facing despair?
It is peace that gives us faith and courage,
Accompanied by freedom.
The dream is still high in the sky.
In the middle of the sea, I let my soul fly
White color of peace, Red color of love
To have peace step after step
Letting joy everywhere
My soul is full of hope
White color of peace, Red color of love
Love and peace
Jie Wang, Grade 11
Jinan Foreign Language School
Jinan, Shandong, China
Nayeli Castrejón Muñoz, Grade 3
Enrique Rébsamen School
Mexico City, Mexico
IN MY SPIRIT
THE PEACE
Dr. Martin Luther King, you’re in my spirit,
Randaijah Price, Grade 3
M. Agnes Jones Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Yesterday I dreamed in peace
Everything was beautiful
People were great
There was no war and no sadness
People walked without being afraid
It was a perfect world
It was a big unity
When I woke up, I wished that
My dream came true.
P.E.A.C.E.
Marco Antonio Mendoza Mercado, Grade 1
Enrique Rébsamen School
Mexico City, Mexico
You’re in my heart and ear and I can hear it.
You are my inspiration and I love that dearly,
Your message has changed the world, clearly!
Peace
What is this figment of speech?
Does it mean, Patience?
Does it mean, Equality?
Does it mean, Abolish?
Does it mean Compassion?
Does it mean, Engage?
Simply answered, “YES”
Justice Wilkinson, Grade 5
M. Agnes Jones Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
WHAT IS PEACE?
Peace is like a light, helping you shine bright.
Peace is love, that comes from above.
Peace is quiet like a mouse, sleeping in your house.
Peace is fun, for everyone.
Peace is a friend,
Generous, honest, and loyal.
Nothing is impossible, with peace.
Perisia Stafford, Grade 2
Orrs Elementary School
Griffin, Georgia, USA
PEACE
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
When peace covers the world,
All the children and adults
Feel loved and known.
All the crying and sleeping will be gone,
Everything wrong will finally go right.
When you speak, you will be heard.
When you walk, you will be seen.
You are loved.
He was a beacon of hope, of freedom for all,
Anastyn Paradis, Grade 3
Orrs Elementary School
Griffin, Georgia, USA
Men, women, and children still oppressed.
Not through violence did he find peace
But, by determination and persistence.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Evan Hughes, Grade 8
Southport Elementary School
West Sacramento, California, USA
PEACE
TAKE MY HAND
Take my hand
Let me lead you to peace and glory
Let us thrive as united and educated people
Take my hand
Let us stand side by side
As we fight for peace
Jessica Walker, Grade 8
Riverdale Middle School
Riverdale, Georgia, USA
Peace is like Love. I feel peace
When I walk next to the Rose Garden.
When I think of peace, I think of Love.
When a person says Martin Luther King, Jr.,
I think of peace.
For what he did, we love him for it.
Ronald Nolta, Grade 5
Southport Elementary School
West Sacramento, California, USA
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
DR. KING, THE MAN WHO
One spoke out to many
Which later helped plenty
He defended our rights
He truly knew what it meant to fight
Not physically, but mentally
He would be proud
To know his actions are still speaking loud
Terra Adams, Grade 8
Riverdale Middle School
Riverdale, Georgia, USA
Dared to dream in hopelessness,
Respectful to every person no matter the color,
And kind to all believers no matter the faith
Intelligence of the real need of civil peace;
Non-violent, courageous, and humble leader
Giving motivation to those who feel weak
Jasmine Williams, Grade 8
St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School
Decatur, Georgia, USA
PEACE
A DREAM THAT I WANT TO COME TRUE
We must see that peace
Represents a sweeter music,
A cosmic melody
Far superior to discords of war.
We must transform the
Dynamics of the world.
I dream to live in peace
Like flying butterflies, birds in the sky
Like launched arrows,
Scattered flowers, here and there
Red, white, and yellow
The nice rainbow colours shining in the sky
So, let's live in peace.
Gabrielle Hall, Grade 7
St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School
Decatur, Georgia, USA
Ruba Mohammed El Ghouty, Grade 8
UNRWA Rafah Prep Girls B
(A United Nations Relief & Works Agency School)
Gaza, State of Palestine
Where I Live We Need Peace!
I always see violence, where I live.
I always see fights, where I live.
I never have non-violence, where I live.
It's like non-violence doesn't exist where I live.
Where I live,
We need peace!
Ornijay Clerk, Grade 3
Susie B. Atkinson Elementary School
Griffin, Georgia, USA
PEACE
When people stop fighting
That is Peace.
When people stop stealing
That is Peace.
Peace is Love.
Peace is Love for your brother and sister.
Peace is jumping for joy.
Samiyah Muhammad, Grade K
The Blackstone Academy
College Park, Georgia USA
MY PEACE IS BETWEEN
MY JOY AND MY LOVE!
Peace is letters replete with love
Holds happiness and safety
A crown of jasmine for Human Rights
It is like the green spring,
Blossoms of flowers
Sounds of nightingales
Songs of little children
Peace is a heart that
Pumps love to the whole world.
Tasneem Wajeeh Al Qeeq, Grade 9
UNRWA Rafah Prep A School
(A United Nations Relief & Works Agency School)
Gaza, State of Palestine