Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Essay Contest Open to Poly Students

Poly looks forward to celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, 2025. In the lead-up to the celebration, our MLK celebration committee, chaired by Middle School History faculty Dr. Robert Farrar, met with the founders of Pasadena's MLK Community Coalition. 

Drs. David and Jackie Jacob are civil rights activists who personally knew Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., attended his church, and marched with him to Selma during their days living in Alabama. They started the Pasadena MLK Coalition 35 years ago after coming to Pasadena. For the past 10 years, they have hosted essay and art contests for Pasadena's fourth through twelfth graders. 

We encourage students to submit to this meaningful contest, which has the theme “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.” The three categories for entry are fourth and fifth graders, middle school, and high school. Winners will receive cash prizes and be invited to read their essays aloud or exhibit their art at the Jackie Robinson Center on MLK Day in 2025. The deadline to submit entries is December 13.