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Valley children win MLK poster and essay contest


January 10, 2012

Schoolchildren from across the valley have won awards in ASU’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. poster and essay contest.

Those in grades K-12 were asked to submit essays, posters and bookmarks depicting this year’s theme of “Reflect and Act.” The 24 winners have already received savings bonds, and are set to receive prize ribbons at the celebration breakfast on Jan. 23 from 7 – 9 a.m. on the West campus.

Also at the breakfast, Bob Ramsey and Jenny Norton, community activists, will receive the MLK Servant-Leadership award. Graduate student Timothy Huffman will be presented the MLK Student-Servant Leadership award for his work with homeless youth.

The children’s contest categories are primary, grades K-2; intermediate, grades 3-5; middle, grades 6-8; and secondary, grades 9-12. Winning essays and posters may be viewed online soon at http://www.asu.edu/mlk.

The winners are:

Primary Essay
First place: Micah Vasey, first grade, Bios Christian Academy
Second place: E’lon Still, second grade, Bios Christian Academy
Third place: Ashlynn Kooima, second grade, Bios Christian Academy

Intermediate Essay
First place: Faith Pikula, third grade, Bios Christian Academy
Second Place: Miriah Montoya, third grade, Franklin Northeast School
Third place: Anna Scholink, third grade, Bios Christian Academy

Middle Essay
First place: Estevan LaTurco, seventh grade, Dodge Middle School    
Second place: Dylan Pavon, seventh grade, Dodge Middle School
Third place: Jenah Park, sixth grade, Franklin Northeast School

Secondary Essay
First place: Rachel Slepian, tenth grade, Chaparral High School
Second place: Chloe Martin, twelfth grade, Bios Christian Academy
Third place: Courtney Moore, tenth grade, Chaparral High School

Primary Poster
First place: Arella Payne, second grade, Franklin Northeast School
Second place: Alicya Whetten, second grade, Franklin Northeast School
Third place: Justin Lee, second grade, Franklin Northeast School

Intermediate Poster
First place: Ryann Thomas, fourth grade, Sequoya Elementary School
Second place: Sonia Quirino, fifth grade, Heatherbrae Elementary
Third place: Kylie Grant, fifth grade, Franklin Northeast School

Middle Poster
First place: Celestina Christianson, eighth grade, Mountainside Middle School
Second place: Sarah Himmelberg, seventh grade, Ingleside Middle School
Third place: Madison Raylor, eighth grade, Cocopah Middle School

Secondary poster
First place: Kendra Knittel, eleventh grade, University High School
Second place: Jessi Field-Sierra, tenth grade, University High School’
Third place: Cypress Hansen, eleventh grade, University High School

For more information or to view a complete list of MLK celebratory events, please visit http://asu.edu/mlk/.