Winners of 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contests Announced, Will Be Celebrated at Free Citywide Celebration

MILWAUKEE (Jan. 3, 2024) – The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC), along with We Energies, Milwaukee Public Schools, and Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, announced today the student winners of the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. art, speech, and writing contests. The winners will be celebrated at the 40^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, presented by Bader Philanthropies, on Monday, January 15 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.

This free event, coordinated by the MLK Steering Committee, will begin at 4:00 p.m. in Uihlein Hall and highlight this year’s youth contest winners as well as feature remarks from elected officials; performances from Rufus King International High School Varsity Drumline, Steffon Dixon, Xegon UniVerSoulist, and Antoine Reynolds and The Sound; and a special presentation of the inaugural Rev. Joseph Ellwanger Social Justice Award.

The Celebration activities will conclude with a free gospel concert featuring Antoine Reynolds with Anthony McGahee & Praise Motivated.

This year’s theme, “What Affects One…Affects All,” was inspired by Dr. King’s words in his famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” which was written in April 1963 as he was imprisoned for leading non-violent protests:

“I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states.  I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

“We are honored to host this long-standing community event and provide this opportunity for Milwaukee’s youth to learn about the life and legacy of Dr. King,” said MPAC President & CEO Kevin Giglinto. “This enduring tradition reflects the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s commitment to the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

Since 1984, Milwaukee has proudly stood alongside Atlanta as one of the only cities in the country to host an annual celebration in honor of Dr. King’s birthday. For four decades, young people have been the heart of this celebration, expressing Dr. King’s timeless messages through art, speech, and writing contests.

This year’s entries were submitted by students from Milwaukee and surrounding school districts. The complete list of this year’s contest winners can be found below.

Additionally, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Teacher of the Year Award will be presented to Rose Peterson, English Department Chair from Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education for her outstanding efforts and dedication to providing a high-quality, equitable education to all students.

“Bader Philanthropies is proud to support this milestone celebration at the Marcus Performing Arts Center,” said Bridgett Gonzalez, Grants Director at Bader Philanthropies. “This program has impacted the lives of countless Milwaukee youth, providing a platform for creativity and encouraging a deeper understanding of Dr. King’s teachings.”

This event is free and open to the public. There are no tickets required to attend, and complimentary parking will be available in the MPAC Parking Structure.

Event sponsors include Bader Philanthropies (Presenting Sponsor); We Energies and Milwaukee Public Schools (Speech Contest Sponsors); Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (Writing Contest Sponsor), and Marcus Performing Arts Center (Art Contest Sponsor); Milwaukee County Transit System (Legacy Sponsor); Milwaukee County Office of Equity, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Educators Credit Union, Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and 101.7 The Truth (Freedom Sponsors); Landmark Credit Union (Peace Sponsor).

For curriculum resources and more information, visit www.MarcusCenter.org/MLK

Art Contest Winners
Grades K-2
1^st Place            Akella Walker – Milwaukee German Immersion School
2^nd Place           Faith Skreland – Milwaukee German Immersion School

Grades 3-5 
1^st Place            Amya Ramos – Luther Burbank School
2^nd Place           Rana Arlwais – I.D.E.A.L. School
3^rd Place           Emma Vang – Richard Kluge School

Grades 6-8 
1^st Place            Rinalee Xiong – Wedgewood Park International School
2^nd Place           Claire Cruz – Wedgewood Park International School
3^rd Place           Safwaan Aqueel – Salam School

Grades 9-12 
1^st Place            Geraldine Maldonado – Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education
2^nd Place           Aida El-Hajjar – University School of Milwaukee
3^rd Place           Paw Wah Ker Boh – Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Speech Contest Winners
Grades K-2
1^st Place            Cameron Barki – Lowell Elementary
2^nd Place           Mason Walker – Eastbrook Academy
3^rd Place           Haniah Cross – Craig Montessori School

Grades 3-4 
1^st Place            Eddie Smith – Craig Montessori School
2^nd Place           Zebdee Larfeeva – Golda Meir School
3^rd Place           Ashe Henry – Lowell Elementary

Grades 5-6
1^st Place            Zaida Smith – Samuel Clemens School
2^nd Place           Renad Kabashi – Golda Meir School
3^rd Place           Priscilia Nsau – Lowell Elementary

Grades 7-8 
1^st Place            Victoria Gagliano – Louisa May Alcott School
2^nd Place           Dahlia Santiago – Golda Meir School
3^rd Place           Bibi Mohamed Yunus – Victory School

Grades 9-10 
1^st Place            Basma Sarsour – Salam School
2^nd Place           Sage Marshall – Eastbrook Academy
3^rd Place           Dadria Veal – Golda Meir School

Grades 11-12 
1^st Place            Nevaeha Tarver – Golda Meir School
2^nd Place           Jonah Denae – Milwaukee High School of the Arts
3^rd Place           Nathan Merriweather – University School of Milwaukee

Writing Contest Winners
Grades 2-3
1^st Place            Khalise Warren – Richard Kluge School
2^nd Place           Lore’al Douglas – Richard Kluge School
3^rd Place           Gianna Rivera – Honey Creek School

Grades 4-5 
1^st Place            Journee Grandberry – Samuel Clemens School
2^nd Place           Amere Brewer – Samuel Clemens School
3^rd Place           Renad Kabashi – Golda Meir School

Grade 6
1^st Place            Meadow Mertes – Fernwood Montessori School
2^nd Place           June Rickman – Fernwood Montessori School
3^rd Place           Layla Parker – Fernwood Montessori School

Grades 7-8
1^st Place            Mylah Monk – Congress School
2^nd Place           GuZa Nar – Victory School
3^rd Place           Michael Tempesta – Burdick School

Grades 9-10
1^st Place            Isaiah Washington – Riverside University High School
2^nd Place           Abdul Sarip Kurban Ali – Riverside University High School
3^rd Place           Bruce Harris – Riverside University High School

Grades 11-12
1^st Place            Anuar Nur Hassan – Milwaukee High School of the Arts
2^nd Place           Saleem Kadadha – Salam School
3^rd Place           Kimberly Martinez-Sierra – Golda Meir School

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.