MLK Jr. Commission Scholarship and Essay Contest

The Dr. Martin Luther King Commission of Mid-Michigan is pleased to announce our 2025 High School Scholarship/Essay Contest! All Greater Lansing Area 6th-8th and 9th-11th graders are welcome to enter. Please download the permission slip and guidelines found at the bottom of this page. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration will be January 20, 2025


2025 James W Butler III & Mark S. McDaniel Legacy Scholarship Contest:

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan is pleased to announce our 2025 James W Butler III & Mark S. McDaniel Legacy Scholarship Contest!!! The Commission is excited about this opportunity to invest in the lives of our future leaders. 

Awards:

A total of $17,500 in awards is available to graduating seniors of the Greater Lansing area pursuing higher education.

The Commission will be presenting two (2) First Place awards for $5,000 and three (3) Finalists awards for $2,500 each. Contestants must write an essay (other submission materials required are outlined on the application) reflecting on our theme:

“I Have a Dream that One Day this Nation will Rise Up and Live Out the True Meaning of its Creed – We Hold these Truths to be Self-evident: That All Men are Created Equal” – MLK

All applications that meet the minimum requirements will be considered for all awards. Winning entries are assessed by an independent panel of educators and community leaders. To enter the contest, interested students must fill out the attached application and qualify based on the following criteria:

To Enter: 

  • Be a graduating senior, Class of 2025, from a greater Lansing area school 

  • Possess a 2.0 or higher career GPA (verification required). 

  • Submit an essay narrative expounding on theme (250-450 words, typed, double-spaced, and 12-point font).

  • Submit a personal statement (no more than one page typed) indicating why he/she feels they should be considered for the scholarship. 

  • Resume

  • Note: Award recipients must submit an electronic version of the narrative to the Commission upon notification of award

  • Two letters of recommendation (not from a related party). 

  • Submit Applications to MLKCommissionScholarship@gmail.com 

Application deadline Friday, November 22, 2024


2025 Essay Contest:

We are pleased to announce our 2025 Essay Contest!!! Please assist us in informing and encouraging Greater Lansing Area Students (6th – 8th and 9th – 11th grades) to participate in the celebration by entering the contest. Our theme is:

“I Have a Dream that One Day this Nation will Rise Up and Live Out the True Meaning of its Creed – We Hold these Truths to be Self-evident: That All Men are Created Equal”” - MLK

Awards:

Monetary awards and certificates will be presented to the First ($500), Second ($350), and Third Place ($150) winners at the Luncheon.

To Enter:

  • Parental Permission Slip (supplied) must be completed for each contestant

  • Essays must be typed (double-spaced) or printed neatly in black ink

  • The essay length must be in the range of 250 to 300 words.

  • Essays should speak to the Luncheon theme

  • Essays presented using creative language styles are acceptable (i.e. poetry)

  • The submission Deadline Date is November 22, 2024

  • One copy of the parental permission slip, cover page and essay should be emailed to:

    mlkcommissionscholarship@gmail.com

  • Please email mlkcommissionscholarship@gmail.com if you have any questions.

    This essay contest is proudly sponsored by

 
 
 

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest

More Information Coming Soon!