Students in elementary, middle and high school were invited to compete in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. contest. Elementary students could create a poster; while middle- and high school students wrote essays.

The students selected for first, second, third place, and honorable mention were honored at a ceremony after the parade Jan. 15.

 2024 Contest Winners:

Poster Contest Winners - Grades 1-3

1st Place Marley Tettey, 2nd Grade, Blandford Elementary School, Teacher: Ms. Eubanks

2nd Place Isaiah Rivera-Rivera, 3rd Grade, South Effingham Elementary School, Teacher: Ms. Christian

3rd Place Ellis Chalkley, 3rd Grade, Sand Hill Elementary School, Teacher: Ms. Dupler

Honorable Mention Skylar Kushner, 3rd Grade, Sand Hill Elementary School, Teacher: Ms. Dupler

Poster Contest Winners - Grade 4-5

 1st Place Michael A. Garvin, Jr., 5th Grade, Guyton Elementary School, Teacher: Ms. Ballard

2nd Place Layla Garner, 5th Grade, Blandford Elementary School, Teacher, Ms. Wilhoite

3rd Place Cayden Maybin, 5th Grade, Blandford Elementary School, Teacher, Ms. Wilhoite

Honorable Mention Anaja Nasir, 5th Grade, Blandford Elementary School, Teacher, Ms. J. Saureland

Middle School Essay Winners

1st Place Trevon Ivey, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School, Teacher, Ms. Washington

2nd Place Kian Graham, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School.Teacher, Ms. Washington

3rd Place Ryleigh Hoenshell, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School.Teacher, Ms. Washington

Honorable Mention Kayne Arnsdorff, 8th Grade, Ebenezer Middle School, Teacher, Ms. Washington

High School Essay Winners

1st Place Hillary Smith, 12th Grade, South Effingham High School, Teacher, Ms. Laura Howard

2nd Place Prapti Patel, 10th Grade, Effingham College & Career Academy (ECCA)

3rd Place Trenton White, 9th Grade, South Effingham High School

Honorable Mention Amaya Lewis, 12th Grade, South Effingham High School, Teacher, Ms. Laura Howard