MLK 2026
Crisco Kidd is calling all middle and high school students across the Valley to help honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting essays and videos that reflect on Dr. King's dream, what you can do to change your community in 2026!
Contest Starts: January 5, 2026
Contest Ends: January 16, 2026 (11:59pm)
Winners will be announced on MLK Day, January 19, 2026.
Contest Theme: “Dream in Action: How Will YOU Change Your Community?"
Submissions should honor Dr. King’s legacy by putting our dreams into action in 2026. Your voice matters. Your ideas matter.
Contestant Categories:
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Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Essay = 200 words or less | Speech = 45 seconds or less.
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High School (Grades 9-12)
Essay = 400 words or less | Speech = 75 seconds or less.
Contestant Entry: Entries may be submitted electronically and written.
Electronic entries must be entered through our Google Form.
Judging: Entries will primarily be judged on the basis of creativity, clarity, and originality. Participants' correct use of grammar, writing skills, overall expression, and delivery of the essay/speech will also be considered.
PRIZES
High School
1st Place: Laptop & $250 gift card
2nd: $150 gift card
3rd: $75 gift card
Middle School
1st Place: Tablet
2nd: $100 gift card
3rd: $50 gift card
Honorable mentions (Grades 6-12) may be awarded school supplies or gift cards to purchase them.
CONTEST RULES
Contestants must enter First and Last Name, School, Grade, Age, Parent/Guardian’s Email, Address, Phone, Speech/Essay.
Essays must be the original work of the student; not AI written.
Essays must clearly address the contest theme.
Essays must not be identical to any speech submissions and speech submissions must not match essays.
One 1st Prize Winner will be selected from Middle School and High School categories. Two additional winners may be selected per school level. Winners' names along with their essays and videos may be displayed and recognized online!
HOW TO SUBMIT
EVERY contestant must fill out the following information:
First Name, Last Name, School, Grade, Age, Parent/Guardian Email, Phone, Address, and choose to submit an Essay or Video.
If submitting an ESSAY, click the FIRST Yellow Button below and enter the information into the Google Form.
If submitting a VIDEO, make sure you have access to a Gmail account to upload your video from Google Drive.
If you do not have a Gmail account, you can use the Alternative Video Upload below (SECOND and THIRD Yellow Buttons). Make sure to introduce yourself in the video and provide your contact information. Be sure to record it in a quiet, well-lit place so we can see and hear you clearly.
Good luck!
Crisco