Today, Arlington Public Schools announced the winners of the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Literary and Visual Arts contest.

This year marks the 52nd year that Arlington County and APS have come together to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. This is important for APS because we want to ensure that all our students learn about Dr. King’s many contributions and understand how his work has affected our lives.

APS students at all grade levels were asked to participate in the contest, and this year we received over 500 entries from our schools and programs. Students submitted outstanding pieces of artwork, poetry and essays. Twenty-four entries were chosen in this year’s contest.

“We were so excited about the entries we received this year,” said Pam Farrell, Arts Education Supervisor. “The students’ entries reflect their vision for a Beloved Community and how they are making a difference through acts of kindness. It was inspiring to read and see how students are reflecting on these topics at this challenging time for our community, and the messages they want to convey through their art and writing.”

The winners will be recognized virtually during the Thursday, January 21st School Board meeting at 7 p.m.

Topic
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a well-known civil rights activist who had a great deal of influence on American society. Dr. King popularized the notion of the “Beloved Community.” The Beloved Community is a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated. He envisioned the Beloved Community as a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings.

Prompt: Describe in writing or through visual arts how you are contributing to your community and how individuals can make a difference through acts of kindness in the spirit of Dr. King’s vision.

Visual Arts Winners
Grades 9 – 12

1 – Will Madden, Wakefield High School, 11th  Grade	2 – Landon Thomas, Wakefield High School, 12th Grade	3 – McCarley Keish, Wakefield High School, 11th  Grade

Grades 6 – 8

1 – Cassidy Miller, H-B Woodlawn, 7th Grade	2 – Gwen Cornelia, Dorothy Hamm, 7th Grade	3 – Miles Springer, Swanson, 7th Grade

Grades 3 – 5

1 – Emma Ignat, Jamestown, 5th Grade	2 – Eddy Alhousani, ASFS, 3rd Grade	3 – Matias Torres, Oakridge, 5th Grade

Grades K – 2

1 – Manali Kapoor, Glebe, 2nd Grade	2 – Margaret Braun, Glebe, 2nd Grade	3 – Emily Ganbat, Arlington Traditional, 2nd Grade

Literary Arts Winners
Grades 9 – 12 
1 – Jeferson Gonzalez, New Directions, 12th Grade
2 – Heber Galdamez, New Directions, 12th Grade
3 – Annabelle Erwin, Washington-Liberty, 11th Grade

Grades 6 – 8 (Read their essays here)
1 – Daisy Maxwell, Swanson, 8th Grade
2 –  Mayah Millhouse, Kenmore, 7th Grade
3 –  Kate Floom, Williamsburg, 8th Grade

Grades 3 – 5 (Read their essays here)
1 – Sanjana Jadhav, Arlington Traditional, 3rd Grade
2 – Nora Gold, Barcroft, 4th Grade,
3 – Audrey Foster, Arlington Traditional, 3rd Grade

Grades K – 2 (Read their essays here)
1 – Alex Nutter, Jamestown, 2nd Grade
2 – Margaret Kauffman, Nottingham, 2nd Grade
3 –  Aarav Tandon, Arlington Traditional, 2nd Grade