The United States Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas, is pleased to announce the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Contest. This year’s theme “Dream Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.: Celebrating Forty Years of Bahamian Independence” will also include an art component in partnership with Antonius Roberts to encourage high school students in government and private schools to express themselves artistically. The purpose of this contest is to encourage students to explore the life of Dr. King and the impact of the civil rights movement had on Bahamian independence.  All high school students in The Bahamas in grades 10-12 are invited to participate in this contest.

Theme: Dr. King’s struggle for equality inspired Bahamians to push for their independence.  Students are asked to articulate the similarities between the American and Bahamian civil rights movement through an essay of 500 words or less or through a work of art.

Essay: Entries should be 500 words or less and include detailed descriptions of individual contributions and events. Each page must be numbered and include your name on the top left hand corner of each page. Essays may NOT include photographs, images, illustrations, etc. Essays will be judged based on originality, clarity of thought, organization, grammar and spelling. 

Art: Entries must exemplify the contest theme as well as the concept of service, unity, concerns for humanity, and nonviolent social change. (NOTE: The artwork may include a depiction of Dr. King, but this is not required.)

The following styles will be considered:

  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Three dimensional (3D)
  • Original Photography

All work must be original and relate to Dr. King’s philosophy, principles and this year’s theme.  Art canvas, poster board, or any quality art paper may be used. Artwork cannot exceed 22 X 28 inches. Name, grade, and school must be securely attached to the back of all submissions, as well as a brief paragraph of how the piece relates to the contest theme.

 

Rules:

  • All entries must be submitted as an email attachment no later than February 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Contest entries must be accompanied by an official entry form.
  • Only one entry per person.
  • Entries that are deemed to infringe upon copyright protected material will be disqualified.
  • All submitted entries shall become the property of the U.S. Embassy and will not be returned.

 Prize: Winners will receive the grand prize – a new Apple iPad.

Deadline & Submission:

All essays must be submitted electronically as an attachment no later than February 01, 2013 at 5:00 PM by email to MLKessay@state.gov  along with an entry form. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be entered into the competition.  Only emailed essay entries will be considered.

All art entries should be delivered to Hillside Studios at 25 Cumberland Street in Nassau no later than February 01, 2013 at 5:00 PM.  Artists must also take a photo of his/her creative entry and submit it electronically to MLKessay@state.gov. Please include a title for your piece, a brief paragraph of how the piece relates to the contest theme along with the entry form.