FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2009
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Galveston Historical Foundation Announces Winners of Annual Martin Luther King Essay Contest

On Sunday, January 18 at the Old Central Cultural Center’s Annual Open House and Reception, Galveston Historical Foundation awarded first place in its eighth annual Martin Luther King Essay Contest to Jonathan C. Viernes, a 9th grader at O’Connell Consolidated High School in Galveston. Viernes is the youngest participant ever to win first place in the contest. He read his essay to the audience of nearly 300 at the Sunday reception and again at the evening service of the Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church. Many of his extended family members were in attendance at both events. He was awarded a cash prize of $300.

The essay contest was open to Galveston high school students, grades nine through twelve. Nearly 100 students participated in this year’s contest. The question students were asked to address in their essays was “Is Dr. Martin Luther King’s Dream Still Alive?” telling in about 350 words how Dr. King’s life and message have influenced the world. Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

Viernes’ essay described Barack Obama as the embodiment of Dr. King’s dream come to life. The essay also talked about how people of all races, ages, and religious faiths came together to help one another in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, inspiring in Viernes a sense that Dr. King’s dream is being realized in the events of today both at home in Galveston as well as in the wider world.

Eight other students won awards or received honorable mentions in the essay contest. Seven of those were able to attend the Old Central Ceremony and read their essays to the assembled group. Those students were:

Jamar Givens, Second Place ($200 Cash Prize)

Brenae Hardeman, Third Place Tie ($100 Cash Prize)

Johnesha Chatman, Third Place Tie ($100 Cash Prize)

Russalynne Griggs, Honorable Mention

Emma Descours, Honorable Mention

Claudia Jimenez, Honorable Mention

Mei Makino, Honorable Mention

Iza Salinas, Honorable Mention (unable to attend event)

Ever since the inception of Galveston Historical Foundation’s (GHF)’s African American Heritage Committee eight years ago, the foundation has sponsored a contest in which Galveston high school students are invited to write essays focusing on the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during January, the month of his birthday. Every year the winners are honored at a special open house and reception at Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M in Galveston. The event, which this year was held on Sunday, January 18, is free and open to the public.

The ceremony took place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Old Central. Presentations by essay winners will began at 3:30 p.m. All participants in the contest were recognized. Clary’s Restaurant provided refreshments. Ennis E. Williams, Jr., Old Central Board President, presented the program introductions. Mayor Lyda Anne Thomas offered a proclamation. GHF’s Executive Director Dwayne Jones, and GHF’s Board President, Tom Schwenk presented the awards to the essay contest winners.

When the Galveston MLK essay contest was first conceived eight 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.”

For a gallery of photos from the MLK Award Ceremony, click here.