As part of Effingham County's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observance, children and adults participated in the annual youth program Monday at the recreation department gym in Springfield.
The winners of the MLK poster, essay and theme contests were recognized. High school essay winner Chanses Bowers and middle school winner Landri Morgan each read their essays to the crowd.
Also, Emanuel Pinkney performed a praise dance, a combined choir from local churches sang, and Jonas Jones gave an impassioned recital of King’s famous “I have a dream” speech.
Theme contest winners
First place – “Confronting the Past, Building and Sustaining the Future as One Nation” by Alexander Williams, 11th grade, Effingham County High
Second place – “Equality: His Dream Marches on Through Principles with Purpose” by Samantha Mattox, eighth grade, South Effingham Middle
Third place – “Passionate in His Beliefs, Persistent in His Actions” by Katie Harley, ninth grade, Effingham County High
Honorable mention – “Passionate for Equal Rights, Equality for All” by Zackary Bentley, ninth grade, Effingham County High
Grades 1-2 poster winners
First place – Z'Niyah Baker, first grade, South Effingham Elementary
Second place – Krista McAlister, first grade, South Effingham Elementary
Third place – Allison McMillen, second grade, South Effingham Elementary
Honorable mention – Marissa Bonorato, first grade, South Effingham Elementary
Honorable mention – Sebastian Perez, first grade, South Effingham Elementary
Grades 3-5 poster winners
First place – Shamon Orr, fourth grade, South Effingham Elementary
Second place – Owen Mattox, fourth grade, South Effingham Elementary
Third place – Jacobi Griffin, fifth grade, Guyton Elementary
Honorable mention – Zoe Long, fourth grade, South Effingham Elementary
Honorable mention – Javonni Utrera, fourth grade, South Effingham Elementary
Middle school essay winners
First place – Landri Morgan, seventh grade, Ebenezer Middle
Second place – Cameron Long, seventh grade, Ebenezer Middle
Third place – Anna Freeman, seventh grade, Ebenezer Middle
Honorable mention – Amanda Zoll, seventh grade, Ebenezer Middle
High school essay winners
First place – Chanses Bowers, ninth grade, ECHS
Second place – Sarah Harden, ninth grade, ECHS
Third place – Kaitlyn Arnsdorff, ninth grade, ECHS
Honorable mention – Kiarra Williams, 11th grade, ECHS
For more photos from Effingham County’s MLK youth program, click on the Community section of www.effinghamherald.net.
To watch video of Bowers and Morgan reading their winning essays, visit the Featured Video section of www.effinghamherald.net.