Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream, Inc

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Living the Dream, Inc. 2018 Student Poetry Competition

Living the Dream, Inc. is sponsoring its 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Competition for Topeka area students in grades fifth through twelve.

Prizes and Recognition Poetry contestants will recite their poems and be judged on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Antioch Family Life Center, 1921 SE Indiana. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner in each grade category on January 15, 2018 at 10:30 am during the King Holiday Celebration at the Brown National Historic Site located at 1515 SE Monroe. All participants will receive a certificate of participation. The winner’s name will be printed in the Topeka Capital-Journal or on-line as print space allows. The winning poems will be displayed at the Brown National Historic Site, January 15-19, 2018.

Who May Enter? Poetry entries will be judged in the 5th through 12th grade categories as follows:

.5th-6th grade .7th-8th grade .9th-10th grade .11th-12th grade

Poetry Competition Guidelines Poems should be typed or written in legible hand writing. All poems must be the original work of the student. Offensive and profane language is prohibited. All students will be required to memorize, recite, and follow the written text of their poem during the Poetry Judging Competition held on January 9, 2018. The judge’s scoring will be based equally on the originality and the recitation of the poem.

Poetry Themes Poems submitted should represent the writer’s interpretation of diversity, peace, unity, human rights, justice, or nonviolence as reflected in quotes or principles from advocates such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma K. Ghandi, César E. Chavez, Nelson Mandela or another great civil rights leader. Students may also submit a poem that promotes the 2018 Living the Dream Youth Theme: “Young Freedom Fighters Who Wouldn’t Let Go.”

Where Do I Send My Poetry Entry? Poems and entry forms can be mailed or delivered to Mrs. Cindy White, Living the Dream Poetry Competition, PO Box 2342, Topeka, Kansas 66601 or emailed to: [email protected]. If you should have questions regarding the Poetry Competition, please contact Mrs. White at (785) 249-3396.

When is the Deadline Date? The poems and signed entry forms must be submitted and postmarked by 5:00 pm on December 4, 2017. Contestants will be contacted during the week of December 24, 2017 regarding the details of the Poetry Judging Competition. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Living the Dream, Inc. 2018 Student Poetry Competition Entry Form

School Name ______School Address______

Teacher’s Name______(Please print or type)

Principal’s Name______

Grade Level: (Please check your current grade level below.)

 5th Grade  6th Grade  7th Grade  8th Grade  9th Grade  10th Grade  11th Grade  12th Grade

Student’s Name______Student’s Age______

Parent’s Address______Zip Code______

Parent’s Phone Number______Parent’s Email Address______

Title of Poem: ______

I understand that my child’s poem will be entered and judged in the Living the Dream, Inc. Student Poetry Competition. I further understand and consent to any subsequent printing and display of the poem as deemed appropriate by Living the Dream, Inc. I understand that this poem is submitted for the sole purpose of this Competition and will not be sold or otherwise used for any commercial purpose unless permission is given by me, as parent and guardian of the above named child. I understand that this poem will only be considered if the entry form is signed, postmarked and submitted by 5:00 pm on December 4, 2017. I consent to the use of this submission to be judged in the Poetry Competition. I fully understand that my child has no entitlements or guarantees of prizes or recognition as a result of this entry, unless he or she is selected as one of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place winners by the designated judges for the Poetry Competition.

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian______Date______

Print Name of Student______

Signature of Student______Date______

Poetry submissions and signed entry forms should mailed to: Mrs. Cindy White, Chairperson, Living the Dream Poetry Competition, PO Box 2342, Topeka, KS 66601 or emailed to [email protected] no later than 5:00 pm on December 4, 2017.