Yorktown to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Annual Essay Contest

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY – With Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater proposed the start of an annual essay contest as a way for local children to learn more about Dr. King and spread his message of social justice, equality and morality.

Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater said, "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. provided a moral compass for our nation during a tumultuous time in our history.  We have a responsibility to continue his legacy and I can think of no better way than engaging the youth of our community to help us continue to share Dr. King's vision for our great country."

The Town Board will pass a resolution at next week's Town Board meeting memorializing Dr. King's legacy as well as formally establish the annual essay contest.  Children in the fourth and fifth grade can submit essays focused on Dr. King's legacy and what dreams they have for the Yorktown community..  The Town Board will review and score all essays with the chosen winners receiving an invitation to read their essays at a Town Board meeting and having it displayed on the Town's website, in Town Hall as well as at the John C. Hart Library. 

The deadline for submission is Tuesday, February 11th and can be emailed to Supervisor@yorktownny.org with the subject "MLK Essay Contest."  All participants will receive a certificate for their participation.  Essays should be limited to 250 words.

Yorktown Councilman Tom Diana said, "This is a great way for the kids of our community to participate in a program that encourages them to research and apply the teachings of a special person to today's society."

Yorktown Councilman Ed Lachterman added, "Dr. King did so much for our country and it is so important that we preserve and share his teachings.  I can't wait to read the submissions and learn about the dreams of our local children for our community."

Yorktown Councilwoman Alice Roker stated, "For me, Martin Luther King Jr's historic 'I Have a Dream' speech is one of the most uplifting speeches I have ever heard.  Among the most inspiring words are the following: 'I say to you, today, my friends that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment I still have a dream.' These words spoken on August 28, 1963 mean as much for me today as they did for Dr. King.  I am honored to be a part of the Town Board sponsoring this essay program."