In advance of the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration weekend on Jan. 13-15, submissions are being accepted for the annual Dexter R. Stanton Essay & Visual Art Contest and the Humanitarian Awards.
Submissions for the Essay & Visual Art Contest are due by Dec. 1, 2023, while nominations for the Humanitarian Awards are due by Dec. 8, 2023. Both can be submitted electronically. The Dexter R. Stanton Essay & Visual Art Contest can be entered by submitting work to your school office or via an electronic form, while nominations for the Humanitarian Awards can be submitted via an electronic form, sent by email to [email protected] or via mail to SCSU’s Office for Institutional Equity and Access.
The Dexter R. Stanton Essay & Visual Art Contest highlights the creative work from youth — kindergarten through college — with grade-specific guides for each age group. St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Sartell school district students are invited to creatively express their thoughts and reflections on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting visual art, an essay or a spoken word piece inspired by his work.
The quote for the contest in 2024 is “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right.” Learn more about the grade-specific guides and additional contest details.
The Humanitarian Awards elevate groups or individuals of all ages who are largely unrecognized for their innovative service or community outreach in our surrounding area. The awards celebrate those who live the idea of MLK every day as well as who inspire us and incorporate service in their lives in ways that are unexpected or filled with care.
Last year’s award winners were Lyda Avila and Sangeeta Jha. Learn more about the awards and how to nominate an individual or group.
Both the contest and awards will be recognized and celebrated at the 12th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration on Jan. 13-15 in the St. Cloud area, with the main event taking place Jan. 15 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in downtown St. Cloud. The community event is led by St. Cloud State University and the City of St. Cloud in partnership with the community and area partners.
