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The Ohio Civil Rights Commission celebrates the winners of our 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Essay, and Multimedia Contest! The 2021 theme was "Keep Moving." 

During the civil rights struggles of the 1960's, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leading voice against social injustices. The fight he led against racism and bigotry had many setbacks along the way, though. Dr. King understood that resilience and persistence would be necessary to achieve the goals of the Civil Rights Movement. Despite this trouble, Dr. King never strayed from his mission and he continued to speak out against injustice. In a speech at Spelman College on April 10, 1960, Dr. King said:

"If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.”

Students were asked: When you were faced with a challenge or setback, what did you do? Did it bring out the best or the worst in you? How did you keep moving forward?
 

2021 Contest Winners:

Essay Winners:
6th Grade Essay: Gabriel Sherman - St. Benedict Catholic School
7th Grade Essay: Shira Baumann - Blendon Middle School
8th Grade Essay: Grant Archer - St. Michael's School
9th Grade Essay: Jordon Manchook - Fairport Harding High School
10th Grade Essay: Kaden Paniagua - Champion High School
11th Grade Essay: Aroonrassamee Wongkeaitaroon - Boardman High School
12th Grade Essay: Chloe Millard - Normandy High School

Art Winners:
6th Grade Art: Gabriela Tiberi - Olentangy Berkshire Middle School
7th Grade Art: Alex LaSalla - Avon Middle School
8th Grade Art: Sienna Stephens - St. Angela Merici
9th Grade Art: Sophia Mancini - Hoover High School
10th Grade Art: Hannah Laing - Hoover High School
11th Grade Art: Erin Barnby - Hoover High School
12th Grade Art: Mazzy Grisak - Hoover High School

Multimedia Winner:
Multimedia: Emma Keykens - Lehman Catholic High School